Band: Nova Orbis
Album title: Imago
Label: /
Distributor: Nova Orbis
Release date: October 2009
Release: CD

Nova Orbisis is a South American metal band, formed in Bogotá (Colombia) in 2005 by David Martinez (keyboards), Jose D. Barajas (guitar), Ana Barajas (voice), Jorge Gutierrez (guitar), Rodolfo Caliz (bass) and Jose F. Osorio (drums) witch all are still the original members of the band. In 2006, the band recorded their first demo, Nova Orbis, at Artico Records, which received a lot of response from both the fans and media. For the recording of their debut album (this one), Imago, they decided to work in another recording studio, a studio called Buena Onda Studio, and is out since last October.

The music of Nova Orbis (which means “New World” in Latin) is a mix of different styles. It has the strength of metal sounds, a gothic mood or vibe, a progressive feel, and catholic/ medieval influences and instruments witch take a head start from the beginning of the album. This last one really makes the band feel like the ugly duck. From a band located in South America, I expected a more Latino groove like Max Cavalera would do, but not this kind of genre.

Unfortunately, the band only delivers an average album where there are no impressive guitar riffs (just 2 or 3 solo’s) and they are being overwhelmed by keyboard. The vocals are not that bad, but just around average. One remarkable thing that needs to be applauded though, is that somehow the band has managed to make an album on which every song sounds radically different, witch can’t be said of other, better and more popular bands these days.

But in the end this is a band that really disappoints my on all fronts and needs to grow especially if they want to go in this direction any further.

52/100

Jeroen.