NOVOX

This band was totally new to me till yesterday but because it's a Dutch band and I bought it in a large Dutch store I managed to get hold of it probably. Obviously originating from CLIFFHANGER, a band that already had quite a name in the Dutch progworld.

And listening to this debut there can be detected hints to Cliffhanger but also to FM, TANGERINE DREAM, ELP, YES, KALABAN and ODYSSICE although I have to say that some of these comparisons have to do with the all-instrumental status of some of those bands. I think it's fair to say that Novox is original enough to claim a style of their own and there will always be influences and resemblances with other bands. After some checking out of the booklet it appears by the way that not only this band has links to Cliffhanger but also to Knight Area. Some of the (guest) members also appear in the line up of this by now famous Dutch neo progband.

I can also appreciate that this band made an all instrumental album. First because I like those anyway (vocals and lyrics are not really important to me) and second because apparently they didn't have a singer and unlike what some other progbands do (let the least poor vocals do the job) this band probably decided to leave it and make all instrumental music, that's what I call intelligence. Of course it's also possible they really wanted to make all instrumental music, in that case forget my statement.

If I compare the album and music with f.i. ODYSSICE the main difference is that Odyssice has a strong domination of the guitar which I personally like a lot but it causes a repititive element in the sound of the band. This is not the case with Novox. Not only do they give all instruments equal attention and playing time but it also creates a big diversion in the bands sound. All in all there is a slight edge for the keyboards but that is not unfair when the keyboardist created the band and another thing is he uses the wide spectrum of his keyboards by playing a complete pianotrack (almost classical) on the 7th track. But there is more variation. The 5th track f.i. is pretty prog metal all over sudden sounding a bit like Knight Area at its toughest. Really great track.

Other favourites of mine are the 2nd, 9th and 12th track. Here they score really high in the melodic and compositional aspects as well as with virtuosity. So I think we can call this a pretty impressive debut by Novox. I hope we will here more from them in the future. 4 stars for this (3,9).

Novox is a fun little album that thankfully does not take itself too seriously thus destroying the oft quoted quip that prog is pretentious and arrogant. Pretentious maybe at times but arrogant? When Dutch stalwart Neo prog band Cliffhanger decided to end its all to brief run, keyboardist Dick Heijboer and drummer Hans Boonk gathered around some pals and formed the Novox project, some of the members going on to join Knight Area (guitarists Mark Vermeule and Rinie Huigen as well as Rickenbacker bass specialist Gijs Koopman), the new Neo darlings. Almost 99.9 % instrumental,(No Vox , get it?) this is a jam-laden, guitar/keyboard feast that is pure, unadulterated fun. The expert bass rumbles tightly throughout, proving again the evident talents of Koopman's 4 stringed instrument. Some tracks are pure atmospherics ("First and Second Bridge of Tears", "Then There was One" where Dick plays the piano like a true master and "Eclipse", a bass and keyboard duet with ornate classical tendencies), others are loose jam sessions loaded with skilled experimentations:" Be My Guest" has some rollicking organ work, "Looking Up at the Sun", a rather fluid Vermeule guitar solo, "Never Mind" is the owner of a frantic mellotron passage that is awe-inspiring, weaving nicely with the crunchy bass and searing guitar hysterics in the frontlines, shredding endlessly. "Galactic Storm" is a keyboard fest a la ELP/Trace, densely atmospheric at first with posh sonic whirls, then morphing into the more classic trio prog format, led by some furious Boonk drumming, precise bass and slippery synthesizer slurping. The monstrous rhythmic duet "Valentine Fuzztrations" is heavy, sweaty, lewd and rude, the bruising hyper-fuzzed bass devastating all in its passage while Boonk bangs along furiously. Incredible bass insanity that needs to be witnessed, proving again that Gijs is a bass genius. "Sunset on a Sad Horizon" suggests some Manzanera-like guitar inflections from axeman Rinie Huigen, with more wallowing keys in the background and that stellar bass abetted by tight drum accelerations. Ask Mr Spock would say "fascinating"! The Huigen solo is devastatingly posh, loaded with intricate sizzles and robust feeling. "Emptiness" contrary to its title, is actually brimming with spellbinding performances by all concerned, a nearly 10 minute extravaganza that has all the exquisite chops you would want to find delectable. While there is little here that falls in the memorable category, I have a soft spot for albums that clearly espouses the pleasure of Prog without the overindulgence, the endless mastering, editing, sequencing and formatting. Plus any album that has such absorbing bass playingfun is highly deserving of priceless accolades. Let's hand out 4 "guildered" Amstels

Novox is quite an unknown band coming from Holland and releasing so far one album in 2005 self titled. The keybord player Dick Heijboer is responsable for forming this band, he was before in Cliffhanger another great band from this zone. First thing that come in to my view was that they are puted under neo prog flag, quite strange because they sound anything but neo to me, they are for sure more towards fusion with metal atitude in parts and only very vague hints of neo. They are quite similar to me with spanish band Bijou, also instrumnetal and also same aproach to music. It was pleasent surpsi this album to me, complex music , very fusion with some metal leanings here and there, very well performed and composed, great keybords, even fantastic on some pieces , specialy on Be My Guest or Never mind, great musicianship and great ideas. The album is all instrumentsl, with blistering guitars arrangements, excellent key passages and solid bass lines, not to mention that the drumer makes some crazy beats all over the place. I wonder how is possible such good and well done album to be so unknown to larger public, realy??. Anyway a truly solid album that deserve to be more known both by prog metal lovers and jazz fusion alike. A big 4 for Novox, very strong release that easy can be in anyones collection. Recommended for sure.