Nox Novacula – Ascension (Album – Manic Depression Records / Bat-Cave Productions)
Genre/Influences: Cold-Wave, Post-Punk.
Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.
Background/Info: Nox Novacula is a Seattle (USA) based formation, which previously released its official debut album by Bat-Cave Productions (CD) and Manic Depression Records (CD).
Content: The opening song sounds like the offspring between Placebo and Killing Joke with powerful female vocals on top. I can’t say the debut song is totally representative of “Ascension”, which progressively evolves towards Cold-Wave music. The songs are carried by dark bass lines and heavy guitar riffs while accomplished with some Electro arrangements. The female charismatic vocals are somewhere in between Siouxsie & The Banshees and The Skeleton Family.
+ + + : I never heard of the band before, but discovered a true promising formation. Charlotte Blythe is revealed to be a charismatic singer with a bewitching timbre of voice. She also injects a true passion in her vocals, which is perfectly matching with the powerful sound. The heavy guitar play comes through at “Pray For Sleep”, “Last Will And Testament” and “Victim”. These songs also have an elevating effect.
– – – : My single regret is that the work only features 8 songs; obviously pretty retro-like, but when you’re listening to a cool album you always need more.
Conclusion: Nox Novacula is a name to keep in mind; this debut album sounds like great Cold-Wave driven music.
Best songs: “Victim”,“Pray For Sleep”, “Last Will And Testament”, “Drug (Bitter Pill)”, “Against The Wall”.
Rate: 8.
Artist: www.facebook.com/nox.novacula
Label: www.manicdepressionrecords.com / www.facebook.com/manicdepressionrecords
About Nox Novacula
Nox Novacula is a deathrock quartet formed in 2017 in Seattle, Washington, fronted by singer Charlotte Blythe.
The band issued a self-titled EP in 2018, followed by the single “Hitchhiker / Drug” and “The Beginning” in 2019. “Ascension” was released on 28 May 2021 in digital, CD and vinyl formats, and the single “Moment Of Pleasure” appeared the same year through Artoffact Records. “Feed The Fire” followed in 2024.
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