Reviews

NEBULEYES..'THE UNIVERSAL OF BEING'

(Orfeo Lab Self Release) Reviewed 3rd November 2009

This is the band’s third album, but the first with a lady singer, the beautiful mezzo contralto Lady/Dame/Drama Elfenore/Elfamorta, a lady with as many titles as projects. It has taken Benjamin Masson and Xavier Boscher four years to create this science fiction epic; a story that is more impenetrable than Ayreon, a universal being is created that is part of a war between the old and new gods to decide the future of mankind. This is dreamy symphonic metal, in the same vein as Tarja’s solo work, mixed with Ayreon, and a touch of Pendragon modern prog. The joy is finding the nuances in each song. This lies at the more cerebral end of metal. Illegal downloading threatens studio projects like this, so if you like your music deep, thoughtful and relaxing, show your support by buying this at a bargain price at http://nebuleyes.free.fr/ 8.5/10 (Reviewed by Phil)

NEMESEA..'IN CONTROL'

(Sellaband) Reviewed 19th August 2007

I do not know what the Scandinavians and the Dutch put in their water, but there sure is a vast array of decent bands coming from that part of the world. NEMESEA appeared on the scene a couple of years or so ago with their debut opus MANA. This cd was a strong operatic gothic metal album, not too disimilar to Nightwish in places. In-fact, being a Nightwish fan, I enjoyed that cd very much. And then I heard about NEMESEA recording a new album. Obviously, I was interested in hearing the new material. Now, let's get something straight here. Anybody reading this review that is expecting and wants MANA mark two, I am afraid they are not going to get it. I am though bowled over by the new cd. I would call it electro rock/metal, with the odd touch of techno for good measure. I like all types of music, and I never get stuck in a rut. I myself love 'IN CONTROL'. OK, it is totally different to the debut, but the potential for the album is enormous, even over here in the UK, if it was pushed in the right directions. It is only 34 minutes long though, comprising 10 tracks, but I believe in quality not quantity, so I do not have a problem with that. Favourite tracks are a plenty, but I particularly like seventh track in, 'BELIEVE'. Any open minded person should check this album out. It is a strong release! 9/10 (Reviewed by Dave).

NICOLA..'DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY'

(Hot Cherry Records) Reviewed 10th June 2008

Let us get something straight here. This is not metal, but I always pride myself on enjoying music from most genres - I never get stuck in a rut. Anyway, variety is the spice of life! As long as there is a tune, then Dave Smith is happy. Native New Yorker Nicola, tracked me down via myspace, she so kindly sent me her cd, and it seems this attractive lass is coming to our shores later in the year. I recently reviewed a cd by Grace Solero, and the music on offer on 'Don't Take It Personally' would certainly appeal to that type of music fan, plus others too. What I love about Nicola is her voice (and I have told her this), and vocally she is awesome. Opening track 'Anybody Out There' is an awesomely catchy affair, followed by the title track, that is equally as good, and showcases Nicola's voice to the full. The musicianship throughout the album is top notch, as is the production I hasten to add. There are slower songs 'Leavin' You Behind' and 'Combustible', we have a subtle reggae vibe on 'Crazy' and we have the more uptempo rockier numbers, 'Lighthouse (remix)', 'Number One Fan' and 'My Name Ain't Mary', and they all confirm that this lass has one helluva set of pipes! I seriously believe that Nicola has what it takes to break into the mainstream here in the UK. So may I suggest that UK labels wake up, and wake up now! Check her out at www.myspace.com/nicola. A good record 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

NIGHTWISH..'DARK PASSION PLAY'

(Nuclear Blast) Reviewed 3rd Sept 2007

The new era Nightwish is here, featuring the heavenly voice of Anette Olzon. Let's do away with the formalities. So what about this new album then? Well it kicks off with 'The Poet and the Pendulum'. A near 14 minute epic track of grand proportions. This is cinematic, pompous, operatic, epic, melodic and has just about everything including the kitchen sink. Totally mind blowing stuff - and this is just track one! 'Bye Bye Beautiful' follows and bounces along quite nicely, featuring the vocals of both Anette and bassist Marco. The awesome factor so far is high, very high. And then we have 'Amaranth'. This song is near perfection! Thereafter, there is absolutely no let up, track after track of superb craftmanship, with Anette proving how well she fits into the Nightwish fold. We won't go into every track in detail, but in short, this album is an epic, cinematic, gothy, beautiful melodic metal release. Fave tracks - they ALL are, but check out, the aforementioned 'The Poet and the Pendulum', 'Amaranth', 'Eva', the AOR ish 'For The Heart I once Had', 'Meadows of Heaven'...hell, the list goes on. Just buy the album for f**ks sake when it's released. Excellent music is not only to be heard, it is to be felt and to be experienced. This is the sound of Nightwish reborn. To put it quite simply, 'Dark Passion Play' is a complete and utter masterpiece. A MUST BUY! 10/10 (Reviewed by Dave&Aimee).

NIVAIRA.. 'DESERT CHILD'

(Self Release) Reviewed 10th February 2010

The second album by the equine Spanish twosome featuring David Tordera, rock vocals, guitar, bass, orchestrations, and his sidekick, the delightful opera diva Diana Alieva on vocals and keys. This is rather jolly, up-tempo power metallish music very much in the vein of Rhapsody having a gallop with Rainbow across the Pyrenees, featuring the protagonists’ dual vocals in English and Spanish. Talking of Mr. Ritchie, the beautiful ‘The World I Gave to You’ would grace a Blackmore’s Night album, with superb classical acoustic guitar. If you like your metal light and melodic, rather than brain battering, then saddle up and canter along to CD Baby and download this lovely thoroughbred. They’re looking for a label stable to release it physically, they have got to be worth an each-way bet. 8.5/10 (Reviewed by Phil)

NOCTILUCA..'BACK TO THE SOUL SYSTEM'

(Independent Release) Reviewed 23rd September 2009

You cannot beat a little bit of gothic doom metal to brighten up one's September afternoon here in the UK, and here we have the debut offering from the Italian band (from Parma) Noctiluca. Fronted by the clean and powerful voice of Stefania, I also observe that there are other ladies in the band too including Eleanor Jones on keys. I would guess that she is not Italian :) So with all those lovely ladies, it's right up Ravenheart Music's alleyway. I must say that this is not a bad offering that does at times remind me a little of early Gathering. Kicking off with 'Tonight', the doomy nature of the music becomes apparent, plus the rather powerful voice of Stefania, which really makes it for me. Second track, 'Alice' is a little more uptempo, and one of my favourite tracks too. Again the vocals impress me big time. The album continues in a similar vein to the opener - other faves on this little slab of plastic including 'From Beyond', 'Simplicity' and 'There is a Time'. I must stress that this record is like a baby shark - it is a grower, it will not grab you right away, but once it does, it will be reluctant to let go! Check the band out at www.myspace.com/noctilucaband and arrange to grab a copy! Excellent musicanship - 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

NOVA ORBIS..'IMAGO'

(Lugga Music) Reviewed 22nd December 2009

From Colombia comes this blend of gothic, power and prog metal, with a subtle infusion of Latin. They are blessed with two fine singers, the sultry Ana Maria Barajas, whose voice is as deep, rich and dusky as their coffee, and guitarist Jose David Barajas, who has a voice that would grace an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. The prog element really comes from keyboardist David Martinez, whose style brings to mind Patrick Moraz (Yes, Moody Blues), he also had a strong Latin influence in his work. Some of it reminds me of …. me, it is quite scary at times. Special mention should also go to drummer Jose Osorio; he can really fly round those toms. Creepy church organ leads into ‘Castle of Exile’, full of gothic grandeur. A rather dodgy cookie monster makes a brief appearance, thankfully we do not see him again until the end of the album. A touch of power metal here and there, like in many of the songs, varies the pace. ‘Unstable Mind’ is more power metallish, and it is great to hear some rumbling Moog. ‘Dark Delusion’ is a bit darker, and features some awesome bass work from Rodolfo Caliz. As in all the songs, the keyboards really add a great deal of variety. On ‘Ancient Guardian’ they almost break into a Wishbone Ash boogie, before heading off into Fairport Convention folk rock. Lovely classical guitar introduces ‘Change’, a waltzing ballad with another excellent keyboard solo. ‘Love Remains’ starts out like it belongs in Phantom of the Opera, before ending up like an up-tempo Andrew Lloyd Webber gone metal. The highlight is probably ‘The Lamp’, a great strutting symphonic metal song, very melodic and impressive. The eastern flavoured ‘Sarah Deserves to Rest’ adds an exotic eastern touch; you can almost smell the soukh and see the dancing bellies. Symphonic power metal drives the ‘Falling of the Empire’, a perfect song for waving your sword to. Finally, the cookie monster breaks into the studio at the start of ‘Wisdom Hunter’, before Ana’s wonderful folk singing, which is an octave above the rest of the album. Jethro Tull then kick the monster out of the studio, leaving the floor clear for a choir of schoolboys. This is a very difficult album to pigeonhole, you cannot say it sounds like such and such, because it has got so many different elements, but they all come together beautifully and naturally. 9/10 (Reviewed by Phil Wooldridge)

NOXIUS CORP...'Grey Shades' EP

(Toxic Forest Records) Reviewed 5th February 2010

Debut EP from the young Spanish quartet, fronted by the ravishing Laura ‘Mirror’ Espejo, and on reflection she has a superb, soaring, semi operatic voice. Grey Shades is powerful early Epic style symphonic gothic metal. Second track ‘Screaming Silently’ shows their diversity and has some fascinating sounds, finally the third track ‘I Hate the World’ is appropriately enough more aggressive and faster, featuring Lord Dan’s desperate growls. You also get a dance version of Grey Shades which is great to rave to. This is excellent stuff, well produced, played, sung and written, and I can’t wait for a full length platter. See their Myspace for more details, www.myspace.com/noxiusmetal. 8.5/10 (Reviewed by Phil)

NUCLEUS TORN.. 'NIHIL, (2006) and KNELL, (2008)'

(Prophecy Productions) Reviewed 7th February 2010

These are the first two albums by the Swiss progressive, classical, folk and doom band, the first two parts of trilogy, leader Fredy describes it as “primarily about separation in adverse circumstances, while constantly expecting the last day of your life. The end draws near, as does a deceptive kind of deliverance”. You can get an idea of the broad spectrum of music on these two albums from the line-up, folk singer Maria D'Alessandro and rock singer Patrick Schaad on vocals, plus violinist, cellist, flautist, drummer and Fredy on guitar, keys, bass and a wide range of folk and other instruments. Nihil is about ‘exploring the boundaries of rock music - from silence to raging fury’. ‘Glass Spirit’ is delightful folk rock featuring Maria, ‘Travellers Rest’ is again folk rock with powered up sections sung by Patrick, ‘Night’s Grace’ is a brief piano piece, ‘Summer Bled’ is doom metal by Patrick with gentle interludes, ‘Close’ an a cappella folk number from Maria, ‘The Sunclad’ is a peaceful classical piece with Maria, piano and strings, and finally ‘Peregrina Sublime’, a more powerful piece with again gentle interludes, featuring both singers, and a lovely peaceful ending. Knell is divided into 3 long movements and a final gentle piece, simply titled I, II, II, IV, featuring the contrast between quiet, acoustic, introspective sections, and then sudden explosions into grandiose doom metal. The theme is ‘The ashes of dead trees - exploring realms of grief and despair’. To be honest I much preferred Nihil, it has some truly beautiful music. I struggled with Knell’s doom sections and the far gloomier, desolate and threatening approach. Both albums can be bought through http://www.grau.cd/, which is the online shop of Prophecy Productions. Nihil 9/10, Knell 8/10 (Reviewed by Phil Wooldridge)