NOVOX

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.