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

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.

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