HINDER’s previous effort “Take It To The Limit” was a favorite of mine in 2008 and I still listen to it today, so I really looked forward to the new record “All American Nightmare”. Where “Take It…” (and also the debut “Extreme Behavior”) featured more mid-paced and 80’s-influenced modern rock, it seems “Nightmare” turns it up a notch with some really heavy rockers this time. It’s not to say the band have abandoned their commercial rock side as there are enough of those types of tunes sprinkled into the mix.

Songs like “2 Sides Of Me”, lead single “All American Nightmare” and “Striptease” see the band embracing the heavier side of things and it works well, even if it takes a bit of getting used to. Tunes like “Hey Ho” and “Red Tail Lights” tread more familiar waters as the songs sound more like the HINDER of old.

And let’s not forget the band sort of made their name with the power ballad, as their first major hit “Lips Of An Angel” (from the debut record) certainly can’t be overlooked. You also get some great ballads on “Nightmare” too with the likes of “The Life” and “Everybody’s Wrong”. The band even pays tribute to the classic rock song with the songs “What Ya Gonna Do” and “Put That Record On”. You really do get it all on the “All American Nightmare” and it is a definite different vibe than the previous records - which is a very cool thing if done correctly and in the context of the bands natural sound and development.

The deluxe edition of the record gives you two extra tracks (with the song “Good Life” being worth the extra price alone!) and some demo versions of album tracks. You even get the “All American Nightmare” video on the disc too.

“All American Nightmare” gets 4 out of 5 stars, as it may just be a shade below “Take It To The Limit” for me… well at least for now. Talk to me after I’ve spun it a few more times and I may change my mind!