Well here’s an interesting one for all the European Symphonic Metal fans out there (as we bid a fond farewell to all the other people who had started to read this review…), a new Italian based Symphonic/Power Metal band with no less than TWO female singers. Yes, I recognise it’s been done before, but not very often and rarely with as much power and conviction as Nocturna display. These two vocalists are Grace Darkling and Rehn Stillnight (I suspect they may not be their real surnames), who share and twin the vocals together, one with a fabulous mostly soprano-style and the other an excellent more traditional Symphonic/Power Metal delivery. And it works brilliantly.

The other band members are shrouded in mystery, all wear masks and have pseudonyms. We have Antares on bass, Deimos on the drum-stool and Hedon on guitar/keys (who bears a striking resemblance both physically, songwriting-wise, musically, and in guitar style to fellow Scarlet Records Frozen Crown/Volturian guitar virtuoso Frederic Mondelli. I’m not saying it’s him of course, just a wild stab in dark). The music sits nicely alongside, oh I don’t know, let’s say Frozen Crown and Volturian for example, showing the same excellent ear for power and technicality, as well melody and drama. Actually, Nocturna sit not only alongside, but quite nicely in between the two to be more precise, appearing to take some of the Gothic dark symphonia of one and the Heavy Power from the other and blending them with a good dose of their own bombastic identity to come out with something fresh and new.

Maybe one of the reasons for all the secrecy surrounding the band’s musicians is to really shine a spotlight on the two vocalists. No need to worry on that score, as their performance is utterly captivating. The operatic vocals aren’t too overblown or overpowering, and the Metal vocals are more than powerful enough to compete. It’s the way they compliment each other and work together that ends up being a huge focal point. The songs are dynamic and powerful (no ballads here!) and the two singers carry each song perfectly and compellingly. There are only a few guitar solos or lengthy musical passages – none needed – just riff-laden, expertly arranged Metal anthems, being driven ever upward by these two striking voices. I admit to being a huge fan of Frozen Crown and Volturian already, so anything performed in a similar vein will immediately gain my attention, and although there is a familiarity to those two excellent bands, Nocturna are no clone – far from it. Those two bands are different enough from each other to more than warrant separate identities. Likewise, Nocturna may have that wonderful epic powerful Symphonic approach, but delivered with enough of their own personality to make this fabulous new band unique and memorable. An exceptional debut.

(9/10 Andy Barker)

https://www.facebook.com/officialnocturna

https://scarletrecords.bandcamp.com/album/daughters-of-the-night