Embedded Files
NOVERIA “Becoming After”
NOVERIA “Becoming After”
By Iron Sheik
Italian cinematic progressive metal band NOVERIA return with album number five, “Becoming After”. They have also changed out the singer, the keyboard player, and drummer for this album. As I had never heard of these guys until this newest album, I had thought “Becoming After" was a well put together heavy atmospheric album. That is because it is.
Masters of the NOVERIA soundscapes are Andrea Arcangeli on bass, Francesco Mattei on guitar who are joined by the revamped lineup of Francesco Marino on vocal, Paolo Campitelli on keyboards, and on drums Paolo Conte. “Becoming After” is a very atmospheric album awash with great guitar work, a tight bottom end, and a singer full of range.
Did I mention there is denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance? These are all a part of the whole. Whatever the process we go through usually starts with denial but moves back and forth. My heart attack over a decade ago had me in anger and denial for months after. I felt robbed. I felt life was over. “Echoes From The Abyss” speaks of these things and NDE's in the processes that I am not sure I had. It is a great track nonetheless. “Cold Flames” is another kickass track. A song full of heaviness as well as atmospherics. “Infinite Horizons” is a track that takes us through yet more of a flurry of emotions at high heavy speed. “Heavenfall” is heavy while atmospheric. A slower track than those preceding it, but it is no less potent than the earlier tracks. Then we get a short use of death metal vocals, but that is it. “Becoming After” ís a triumphant piece that sums up coming through the other side and being free.
“Becoming After” is a great album of storytelling and triumphing over any adversities one may face in life. I think NOVERIA has triumphed in every aspect of creating human stories from their experiences as well as others'. A great album for any metal head's collection. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this record, and I can say it is worth getting a copy of. Maybe the musical changes were for the better. Maybe they were just a necessary evil. Either way NOVERIA's “Becoming After” is an excellent first (first for me, although fifth overall), release for the band. It's an intense, atmospheric, cinematic power metal ride only a band from Italy could produce!
Report abuse