NOVACT - TALES FROM THE SOUL - 2005

During the course of time we’ve seen some influential bands coming from Dutch soil, some hailed classics while others described as bands pushing the envelope. ASPHYX, PESTILENCE and GOREFEST penetrated massive crowds in blossoming times when Death Metal was the current phenomenon, ELEGY rocked the world album after album, the sad tunes of CELESTIAL SEASON still whisper somewhere in the changing winds and AFTER FOREVER and WITHIN TEMPTATION caress the rejects and self doubters of today’s world of hurt. Adding one of biggest influences in Gothic Metal, namely THE GATHERING, I think I’ve proven my point; Holland clearly has its unique treasures…
And the chest is running out of space for golden items. Together with avant-garde extremists TEXTURES, NOVACT are about to revive a sound progressive, melodic and highly atmospheric. The band usually operates in mid tempo shooting off with colourful vocals and glancing keys sometimes relating to gothic splendours of northern Scandinavia (close to a frosty Finland) not commonly practiced in this often math bouncing genre. “Tales From The Soul (To Those Who Understand)”, it’s the perfect title chosen for their debut given the atmospheric themes surfacing on every song, “Hope And Fear” sums up their trademarks being both technical and deeply atmospheric without sounding like DREAM THEATER’s second cousin. Guitars churn out a very enjoyable blend of melancholic melodies and streaming riffs rocking out with the upbeat drumming. Neoclassical interplays don’t take too much of space, just a few section to cast highlight on the accomplished musicianship though not robbing them of their affectionate song writing.
Comparing NOVACT with PAIN OF SALVATION would be me exaggerating. The Dutchmen don’t have that hyperactive temper plus they don’t go walking over several genres or mix too many different sounds together, however, fans of the genre, especially the ones loyal to P.O.S. can’t miss out on the fragile and surprisingly saddened atmosphere connecting them with the Swedes. “The Rider” is more traditional in style yet with their unique sorrowed sound shedding contrasts against the heavy passages.
The album’s winning point is the grandeur of the performance in every song. There’s something indefinable about the caring, introspectively prideful character of this album just listen to “Flower” or “So Help Me Go”, they really aim for the listener’s heart and head, it’s such an rewarding experience if one just let’s the album spin from beginning to end, it kinda brings you closer to… you, in a way.
With great sound layers from Spacelab Studios, NOVACT deserve some serious credit for the glowing qualities of “Tales From The Soul (To Those Who Understand)”, this be a hot recommendation for those up for an emotional voyage through beautiful Prog Metal with some slight Gothic edges.
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After too many years, of the same faces doing very similar things, there finally seems to be a new wave of younger bands bringing something fresh and different to the realms of heavy, progressive music. The debut album from Polish band Riverside was easily the best release of 2004, along with another debut from Australia's Without End. It may only be February, but I'm sure that this new Dutch band will easily be towards the top of the pile when it comes to picking the highlights of this year.

DPRP was one of the first websites in the world to pick up on this Arnhem-based five-piece, when we got hold of their excellent four-track demo Misunderstood a couple of years ago. This was quickly followed by a great show supporting Pain Of Salvation at Amsterdam's Headway Festival – a gig that led to the band (then known as Morgana X) being snapped-up by American ProgMetal label Sensory.

I predicted then, that their debut album would be a breath of fresh air to the scene. And with the ambitious Tales From The Soul, that is exactly what novAct has achieved.

Without doubt the greatest asset that the band has, is vocalist Eddy Borremans. In a crowded market place you have to have something which separates you from the pack and Eddy's unique, soul-based delivery does just that. You can just sit back and be drawn into every song, thanks to the sheer emotion and depth that he manages to convey. Not that the rest of the band merely follow in his wake. This is progressive music that goes straight to the point. Nothing is there just for the sake of it - no pointless solos or widdley bits – a million miles from the Dream Theater's of this world.

Wouter Wamelink mixes crunchy riffs with some beautifully flowing open solos; Michiel Reessink adds some great keyboard hooks and Jeroen Van Maanen holds the rhythm together, adding the odd flourish exactly where it's needed. Particularly impressive for me is the contribution of young drummer Martijn Peters whose wide range of rhythms and fills perfectly enhances the music without ever becoming over-bearing. Peters does much more than simply keeping the beat - a similar effect as when I listen to Fates Warning's Mark Zonder.

Of the ten songs, we have the four found on the demo but now totally re-recorded plus six brand new compositions. There is nothing that sticks out as a weak song, even though the band explore a pretty wide range of moods and styles.

We open with the great, grindingly-heavy riff that launches the politically-charged sentiment of Sharply Condemned. Down-tempo and Eternal Life is a tribute to the late, great Jeff Buckley that will for many will be the standout track. Meanwhile So Help Me God is a real vocal tour-de-force. novAct’s versatility is shown with a track like Nothing Worth Fighting For - really the closest they come to progressive metal. There's a certain similarity to Queensrяche in the arrangement with constant contrasts of rhythm, mood and pace, especially in Eddy's use of a wide variety of vocal patterns and phrasing.

For me the band is at its best when it mixes up the dynamics within a song, as on my current favourite track - the album closer Bad Religion. There are quiet sections, where it is either just voice and guitar or voice and keys. This really opens up the sound and shows off Eddy's voice to the full. Then when we hit the chorus, all the instruments combine to create a denser and heavier sound. Both elements are great, but when used in contrast, it really works a treat. Of course another great, melodic chorus helps as well!

And there’s more! If, like me, the lyric booklet is more than the thing that goes in the front of the CD case, then you'll love the thoughts that Eddy tries to explore here. Despite his denials, the vocalist has some strong opinions and isn't afraid to express them. Flower deals with a case of child abuse in the family, Promises is about the empty pledges of politicians, Nothing’s Worth Fighting For echoes the frustration of corrupt wars such as Iraq, whilst Bad Religion does exactly what it says on the tin.

The production by Everon duo Oliver Phillips and Christian Moos is solid and it also helps when your drummer is a graphic artist. Despite its limited size, the booklet - especially the cover art by Russian artist Oleg Paschenko - compliments the music perfectly.

The one problem I see for the band - or it could be an asset - is that this music absolutely fails to fall into any simple category. They've built their name so far with strong support from the ProgMetal fraternity. But Tales From The Soul really has the potential to appeal to a huge range of music fans. My girlfriend, who hasn't got a hard rock album to her name, was listening to it in the car and immediately pronounced that: 'These are really catchy songs - I like this a lot.' All that leaves me to say, is that with Tales From The Soul, novAct has released a simply fantastic debut album.
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