What does Cinema sound like?

Melodic hard rock anthems fuse with poignant ballads, showcasing a blend of raw energy and reflective lyricism. Rooted in hard rock and traditional heavy metal. Start with "Cinema".

Is Cinema a good place to start with Nazareth?

Yes, Cinema is recommended as a starting point for new Nazareth listeners. Melodic hard rock anthems fuse with poignant ballads, showcasing a blend of raw energy and reflective lyricism. By 1986, Nazareth was well-established in the rock scene, having released their first album in 1971. 'Cinema' marked their twelfth studio album and followed the commercial success of 'Snaz', indicating a period of creative exploration for the band. This release came during a time when they were trying to adapt to changing musical trends while maintaining their hard rock roots.

Cinema works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, melodic storytelling experiences and introspective late-night moods.

How many songs are on Cinema?

Cinema has 9 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

Cinema

Nazareth · 1986

40 min · 9 tracks · hard rock

Melodic hard rock anthems fuse with poignant ballads, showcasing a blend of raw energy and reflective lyricism.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Cinema Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its driving rhythm and cinematic lyrics that reflect both nostalgia and yearning.
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Just Another Heartache — This track stands out for its emotive storytelling, where the interplay between vocals and instrumentation underscores themes of loss and heartache.
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A Veteran’s Song — Offering a poignant reflection on war and its aftermath, this song showcases Nazareth's lyrical depth while delivering a powerful message through its haunting melody.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album features a mix of energetic tracks and reflective ballads, creating a varied listening experience.

What we noticed

The album opens with the title track, which features a prominent synthesizer line that sets a melodic tone for the record.
Several songs incorporate layered guitar harmonies, particularly in 'Hit the Fan' and 'White Boy', enhancing their hard rock edge.
The final track, 'A Veteran’s Song', closes the album with a reflective tone, contrasting with the more energetic preceding tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
melodic storytelling experiences
introspective late-night moods
steady, consistent energy levels

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — Solid entry in their catalog, but not a standout for new listeners or critical acclaim.
Themes: cinematic nostalgia· war's aftermath· heartache storytelling
Career context: By 1986, Nazareth was well-established in the rock scene, having released their first album in 1971. 'Cinema' marked their twelfth studio album and followed the commercial success of 'Snaz', indicating a period of creative exploration for the band. This release came during a time when they were trying to adapt to changing musical trends while maintaining their hard rock roots.
Stylistic neighbors: Deep Purple· UFO· Blue Öyster Cult