INGLORIOUS – V

In 2022, following seven years of non-stop touring and recording albums, UK hard rock band Inglorious went on hiatus to catch a slight breather. Then, summer 2023 kicks in and lead vocalist Nathan James meets up with original bassist and co-writer Colin Parkinson, whose last studio album with the band was Ride to Nowhere (2019). One thing led to another and the two had enough material for a new Inglorious album. Produced by Parkinson and mixed by Tony Draper, the band’s fifth studio album, simply titled, V (2025), assures fans that they’re ready to get back in the game and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. For those who aren’t familiar with the band’s sound, think modern hard rock with bits of pop and funk. Oh, and a vocalist who looks like Thor’s long-lost British twin brother!

Standout Tracks on the Record

The album kicks off with “Testify,” the perfect blend of melodic hooks and hard rock toughness. The chorus is insanely catchy and the bass line is an absolute banger. “Believe” is the album’s big power ballad and a really good one, for sure. Again, loads of melodic hooks and it’s very commercial. Before going further, it’s worth noting that Parkinson’s thick and juicy bass lines are all over this album. Not sure if it’s because he’s back in the band and he produced the album, but thank goodness! It’s always great seeing bass players get the appreciation they deserve. He sounds right at home on the funky and groovy, “Stand.” It’s a very powerful song, lyrically about fighting the enemy within oneself, and it’s got so much swagger, which definitely helps to pump up listeners.

“Silent” is a slow headbanger with lots of attitude and it allows James to stretch himself vocally and he rises to the challenge, especially with that beautiful falsetto at the end. “End of the Road,” not to be confused with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s song of the same name, is another slow headbanger with lots of attitude. Lyrically, the song can be interpreted as reaching the end of one journey and moving forward with another one in the distance. The closing track, “Power of Truth,” is a hidden gem on the album because it’s so powerful, for the lack of a better term, lyrically and instrumentally. It’s mostly acoustic for the song’s first half, and then, the rest of the band kicks in and James sings his butt off!

Final Assessment

V is a decent hard rock album, but it seems there’s something missing, something that could’ve helped the album reach a new level of greatness. The good songs on the album are really good, but it’s not a consistent listen. Some of the hooks felt like the band was trying too hard; “In Your Eyes” is a good example of that. On the plus side, the album’s production is terrific! It’s more on the raw side, which worked out for Parkinson and drummer Henry Rogers. It’s also worth noting that James and Parkinson are the only two members from the original lineup, but it doesn’t sound like it; the new guys fit right in the band. For those who are interested, give Inglorious’ V a chance!

Album Tracklist

1. Testify
2. Eat You Alive
3. Devil Inside
4. Say What You Wanna Say
5. Believe
6. Stand
7. In Your Eyes
8. Silent
9. End of the Road
10. Power of Truth

Band Lineup

Nathan James – lead vocals and backing vocals
Colin Parkinson – bass guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, keyboards, and percussion
Richard Shaw – electric guitars
Henry Rogers – drums and percussion
Tony Draper – keyboards