Norwegian melodic metal project, Nergard, have released the tracklisting for the follow-up to 2013's Memorial For A Wish. The new album is called A Bit Closer To Heaven, and will be released in February.

A Bit Closer To Heaven is the brainchild of composer and mastermind of the Nergard-project; Andreas Nergård. A Bit Closer To Heaven contains nine strong melodic rock/metal tracks and separates itself from the sound of the previous record in the way of what Andreas easily describes as “better songwriting”.

The album that has been in the writing process since 2010 and has been re-written countless times before ending up with the final tracklist. This time you’ll experience songs that are more straight to the point and shorter as well as more memorable in the way of catchy melodies and choruses.

“I did the big 15 minute epic tracks on my debut” Andreas explains. “This time I wanted to experiment with writing shorter songs but I found it very difficult doing that, which may be the reason that I have re-written the album at least four times and ditched close to two hours of music.”

This album contains a mixture of pure heavy metal and melodic rock, much in the same vein as the previous album.

“I wanted to make some even bigger contrasts this time than what I did on my debut album.” says Andreas. “I wanted to dig deeper into the part of me that loves heavy metal as well as the part of me that loves pop. I think that this album has become a very diverse album by doing that, it is something for everyone in there”.

Guest performances on this album include:

Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) - vocals

Michael Eriksen (Circus Maximus) - vocals

Nils K. Rue (Pagan’s Mind) - vocals

Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) - vocals

Andi Kravljaca (Aeon Zen) - vocals

Thomas Løseth (Tempo) - vocals

Ole Martin Moe Thornæs (Rudhira) - vocals

Sunniva Unsgård - vocals

Jostein Svarstad (Jan Holberg Project) - guitar solo

Stig Nergård (Tellus Requiem) - guitar solo

Øyvind Voldmo Larsen (Withem) - guitar solo

 

 

Tracklisting:

"Light And Shadows" (featuring Ralf Scheepers, Nils K. Rue, Andi Kravljaca, Ole Martin Moe Thornæs)
"Fall From Grace" (featuring Thomas Løseth)

"On Through The Storm" (featuring Elize Ryd, Andi Kravljaca + guest guitarist TBA)

"Let It Come" (featuring Michael Eriksen. Guitar solo by Øyvind Voldmo Larsen)

"Stay" (featuring Thomas Løseth)

"Help Me Through The Night" (featuring Andi Kravljaca. Guitar solo by Stig Nergård)

"I Will Find You" (featuring Andi Kravljaca)

"A Bit Closer To Heaven" (featuring Andi Kravljaca. Guitar solo by Stig Nergård)

"When All I Want Is You" (featuring Sunniva Unsgård. Guitar solo by Jostein Svarstad)

Andreas Nergård: drums/bass/keyboards

Henrik Karlsvik: all rhythm guitars

Martin Aas: bass on "When All I Want Is You

Raymond Hellem: acoustic guitar

Øyvind Wærnes: electric guitar on "I Will Find You"

Andi Kravljaca: all backing vocals expect "Let It Come"

(Photo - Bernt Kulseth)