Nova Riot – Blood, Lies & Lullabies
Release Date: 21st August 2026
Label: Eclipse Records
Order/Stream
Genre: Bubblegum Alternative Metal
FFO: Eyes Set To Kill, Poppy & Vana.
Review By: Ross Bowie
Nova Riot are a self-described “bubble gum alternative metal band”. The 3-piece whose debut album Blood, Lies & Lullabies, aims to disrupt the “heavy music status quo”, while blending heavy elements with a more pop leaning vocal, which in theory sounds completely different from what is currently all the rage in the heavy music status quo.
The band cited more modern artists as influences, but the first few tracks came as a bit of a surprise as they played with more nostalgic early 2000s vibes than that of their modern contemporaries. The opening track, Haunting Me has an atmosphere reminiscent of Elena Siegman’s work with Kevin Sherwood, paired with vocals that feel pulled straight from an early-2000s rock playlist. Where Midnight Coven Crush leans more into Nu Metal with a playful riff infused with the female energy of Kitty. These influences are blended nicely with vocalist Nova Ray as she delivers one of the album’s knockout choruses. It’s catchy and energetic and really leans into the band at their best.
This is before the album’s best moment; The Altar is everything the 3 piece have set out to achieve in a single track. The intro is grand with piano and strings which seamlessly translate into synths as the guitars kick into gear, and it hits that part of your brain that yearns for the days of Warped Tour at its peak. It’s playful and in your face. The guest spot from The Bunny The Bear also adds an extra layer as the harsh vocals against Nova’s playful pop melodies work well together and fills the void that is missing on other tracks. This is Nova Riot as their best and will be their mission statement while they are on the road playing shows.
While The Altar, is the standout moment, there are some other moments of promise across the remaining tracks, Like I Mean It leans a bit more pop punk but backs it up with another strong chorus and Through The Storm lets the guitars riff for a moment. However, it feels like there is something missing. The album is peppered with some nice guitar work and solos, but doesn’t really let the riffs take charge, they are merely there to let the vocals do all the work. The album does have good choruses, but the verses come and go and there are no big building bridges keeping you on the edge of the seat as you wait for the song to explode into life again, it’s more a case of a decent chorus and then waiting around for it to come back in again.
The band is missing that extra bite and punch and that could be down to what is a very clean production job. I’m not expecting this to sound like a 6-track Norwegian black metal demo, but it’s not only devoid of any dirt under the fingernails, but it’s lacking any real aggression. Everything is incredibly polished and, for the most part, that is fine, but a band with the mission statement “Music with no apologies” gives the impression that they will be a bit rough around the edges and not scared to get in a scrap. I’m not sure what the band feels the need to apologise for, as Blood, Lies & Lullabies is a pleasant listen. The band discuss modern influences, but seem to be better off when they lean more into the early 2000s material than they are when they try their hand at what’s currently populating modern rock radio. It all seems a bit messy; the band are trying to pull in one direction while their strengths as songwriters lie in the opposite direction. However, it’s an understandable mistake to make while writing a debut album. For some bands it can take awhile to find your feet and that’s where Nova Riot lies.
Overall, Nova Riot are a band that next time around would benefit from taking more risks, adding some twists to their craft instead of taking the safe option. Some songs might fail but they could also have more career highlights to sit alongside The Altar. They have shown in their first outing that there could be something there, if they’re willing to dig deep and work for it, find the thing that makes them stand out in a sea of bands melding together pop melodies with alternative music and put their own stamp on things.
(2 / 5)
