Noveria
“The Gates of the Underworld”
Release Date: August 25, 2023
Scarlet Records

Noveria’s latest release, “The Gates of the Underworld”, is a progressive metal tour de force that showcases the band’s ability to blend intricate musicianship with epic power and symphonic elements. From the very first notes of the instrumental opener “Heritage,” it’s clear that this album is crafted with precision, offering a multifaceted soundscape that demands attention. With their third album, Noveria steps into new territory, merging progressive and power metal with symphonic flourishes, while touching on heavier, extreme metal sounds that make this a complex yet accessible listen.

The album’s true opening, “Origins” immediately sets a grand tone, drawing the listener into a dynamic world where technicality meets power. The song is a balancing act between Dream Theatre-inspired progressive insanity and the melodic grandeur of symphonic power metal. The interplay between these two worlds creates an atmosphere of elegant complexity, offering listeners a unique blend of ferocious riffs, soaring melodies, and a sense of cinematic scale. This is a thread that runs through the entire album, making “The Gates of the Underworld” both ambitious and cohesive.

As the album progresses, Noveria continues to shift its musical landscape. With “Descent” the power and symphonic elements take centre stage, building a massive, anthem-like chorus that feels instantly memorable. This track leans heavily into its epic qualities, delivering a soaring moment early in the album. By contrast, “Venom” pulls back into the heavier, groovier side of progressive metal, throwing in some technical death metal influences that hit hard, especially after a blistering solo that elevates the track to a new level of intensity.

The fifth track, “Revenant,” solidifies Noveria’s musical identity on this record. Here, their mix of progressive, power, and symphonic metal reaches its zenith, with tight musicianship, thunderous drumming, and technical yet melodic guitar work. The self-titled track, “The Gates of the Underworld” furthers this momentum, cementing the album’s thematic grandeur with a sound that’s both epic and aggressive.

Noveria’s attention to detail is evident throughout the album, particularly in the production. The guitars, while technically complex, never lose clarity, and the rhythm section, particularly the drums, sound massive, providing a strong foundation that carries the weight of the compositions. The bass complements this by adding a gritty, low-end punch, while the symphonic elements weave seamlessly into the sound, enhancing rather than overwhelming the songs.

Tracks like “Ascent” bring a refreshing twist to the album’s sound, introducing exotic oriental scales and harmonic minors that add an unexpected flavor to the metal onslaught. On the other hand, “Overlord” leans heavily into progressive madness, showcasing Noveria’s technical prowess while still maintaining the melodic sensibility that defines the album.One of the highlights of the album is “Anima,” a track that blends contemporary progressive metal with brighter, cleaner choruses. The song represents the more accessible side of Noveria’s music without losing the heaviness or technicality that fans expect. By the time the album reaches its closing track, “Eternal,” Noveria have taken listeners on a full-circle journey through multiple metal subgenres, while keeping their progressive and power metal core intact.

“The Gates of the Underworld” is an album that demonstrates Noveria’s growth as a band, offering a rich, multi-layered experience that caters to fans of progressive metal, power metal, and beyond. It’s a record that blends technical brilliance with melodic sensibilities, creating an album that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging. Whether you’re drawn in by the shredding solos, the symphonic flourishes, or the intricate song structures, “The Gates of the Underworld” is an album that keeps on giving with each listen.

For fans of progressive and power metal, this is an essential listen. Noveria has crafted something truly special with “The Gates of the Underworld”—a masterful balance of complexity and grandeur that stands out in today’s metal landscape.