Nova Art
The 3rd Step

THE REVIEW

The Russian band Nova Art is among the most interesting in the realm of modern progressive metal. Although very young, they have great personality and distinct originality. With "The 3rd Step" (2012), these five guys have reached their third studio album and it must be said that it is undoubtedly a work of superior craftsmanship.

From the very first listen, it becomes apparent that their compositional skills are well above average, and the technical prowess of the musicians stands up to any comparison, even with the much more renowned legendary bands of the genre. The creativity displayed is remarkable and the album presents itself very well-structured in form, certainly not lacking in substance and content, as evidenced by the multitude of solutions that this work proudly deploys.

Nova Art surprises with their ability to harmoniously blend experimental inclinations, which often give rise to true improvisations with a vaguely jazzy influence, with clear influences attributable to the more classic heavy metal, thus creating evocative and at the same time electrifying atmospheres.

In a lineup of quality tracks, without any real fillers, the standout is probably the opening track, the emblematic "Black Harmony", which alone perfectly synthesizes a large part of the aspects and strengths of a concept always in perfect balance between elegance and power, creativity and concreteness.

I believe it is time for them to definitively take flight and become part of the prog metal elite, because they have all the credentials to succeed.