Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, Body-Pop.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: German formation Nova-Spes moved back to Danse Macabre Records to unleash their newest opus. They already worked together with Danse Macabre but the previous albums were released by the Russian label ScentAir Records.

Content: “Rise” is a varied opus inspired by the world -or should I say European situation, of today. The band’s engagement has been exposed into different kinds of songs; sometimes harder and danceable and next softer and melancholic which is even resulting in Electronic ballads sort of. The main source of inspiration remains Electro-Pop now and then spiced with EBM elements.

+ + + : The album sounds diversified so in the end everyone will find songs to its taste. Diversity is also noticeable in the vocals mixing English and German sung songs. I’m more into the ‘harder’ cuts like “The Monster Calls” and “Bitte! Bitte!”. I also enjoyed the explicit Electro-Pop driven “Nothing” reminding me a bit of X Marks The Pedwalk.

– – – : The main point I always experienced with Nova-Spes is fully enjoyable listening music without potential hits. That’s definitely what this work is missing.

Conclusion: Easy- and varied Electro-Pop music with neither true depths nor highlights.

Best songs: “The Monster Calls”, “Bitte! Bitte!”, “Nothing”, “Alle Gegen Alles”.

Rate: 6½.

Artist: www.novaspes.de / www.facebook.com/novaspesband

Label: https://dansemacabre.de / www.facebook.com/dansemacabrerec

About Nova-Spes

Nova-Spes is a German electro act led by Matthias Hübner, founded in 1999 and active in the German darksynth scene. The project signed to Danse Macabre Records in 2011. “Rise” follows the label’s earlier Nova-Spes album “2020” and mixes Electro-Pop with EBM elements, sung in both English and German.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, body-pop.

Background/Info: Based in Leipzig (Germany) Nova-Spes has been active since 1999. Their official releases were all released on Danse Macabre, but four years after their previous album (cf. “Black Sheep On White Fields”) their signed to the Russian label ScentAir Records.

Content: This new work reveals a delicate writing, which is sometimes joined by a melancholic flavor. Vocals are somewhat inhibited on the ‘softer’ cuts. But Nova-Spes also reveals a ‘harder’ side featuring an EBM touch on top and here the vocals are harsher as well. Both influences come together on “This Is Not A Lovesong” where you also will notice some duality between quiet and evasive female backings and the heavier male vocals.

+ + + : Nova-Spes already released noticeable works, but this new production shows an interesting evolution in sound and maturity. I personally prefer the ‘harder’ cuts, but the delicacy running through the other tracks is also worthy of examination. The album is diversified and styled!

– – – : “WorldWideWar Zone” is missing a hit, the kind of song that could be released as EP-title track and put dancefloors on fire. It’s maybe not the main goal of the band, but it’s often important to get a bit more in the spotlights.

Conclusion: “WorldWideWar Zone” is a pleasant listening featuring multiple cool songs, but I’m still convinced there’s more in this band than what came out thus far.

Best songs: “I Hate U I Love U”, “This Is Not A Lovesong”, “Pray”, “Sun And Rain”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.nova-spes.com / www.facebook.com/novaspesband

Label: www.scent-air.com / www.facebook.com/ScentairRecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: electro-pop, body-pop.

Background/Info: After a few self-released albums and 3 official ones, the electro-pop formation Nova-Spes strikes back with a new full length revealing 13 songs.

Content: “A Dog And His Boy” is a typical electro-pop inspired work driven by excellent melody lines, some cool and raw sound treatments and passionate vocals. The new album really has a strong potential, which probably explains why the album entered the famous DAC (Deutsche Alternative Charts). The songs have been boosted by some EBM elements and other more melancholic electro-wave influences.

The main point that hurts now and then that undermines the global production is the rather flat production of the drums. The drums sound pretty flat and without power. It creates a retro-feeling reminding me of some early 90s productions. So it could have been voluntary, but I think the songs would have been more ‘punchy’ with more ‘volume’ on the drums.

It doesn’t take away that the album reveals a few beautiful songs animated by charismatic vocals. The lyrical content is not exactly a way to make you happy. “A Dog And His Boy” deals with dark themes, but also reveals an engaged view upon society and our world.

+ + + : I like most of the melody lines and carrying sequences this album is made of. The vocals are alluring and still one of the main strengths of the band.

– – – : The poorly produced drums sometimes ruin the global production of some songs. That’s probably the main reason why I’m sometimes missing a real climax.

Conclusion: No doubt about it, this is the most convincing album of Nova-Spes. This is electro-pop music with potential, which could even become really great when improving some essential aspects of the production.

Best songs: “We Are The Light”, “Two Parts”, “Who will Protect Us From Lord”.

Rate: (6½).

Band: www.nova–spes.com / www.facebook.com/novaspesband

Label: www.dansemacabre–group.de / http://de–de.facebook.com/pages/Danse–Macabre–Records/161032440594773

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com