From the bands EPK: Singer and bassist Edward Green has been carrying his musical ideas and visions around for a very long time when he finally decided to form NOVA SKELLIS in 2018. The singer is silent about the exact meaning of the band's name. Thus, we can only assume that in addition to the phonetic euphony the adequate terms "new" and "skills" also played a role. At the latest since the PHANTOM Reunion Show 2018 at the Legions Of Metal Festival, the singer of the US metal band has tasted blood again. Almost at the same time, PHANTOM's "Cyberchrist" album and as well the new single "The Violence Of Twilight" were released on vinyl via Metalloscope Music. The response to these releases did not only cause an awakening of the fans. Also Edward Green, known to many only under his stage name Falcon Eddie, received a motivational boost to finally become active again. He got in contact with the German drummer Jörg Quaquil (THARN, LIVING FAST) and the Italian guitarist Alex Spalvieri (HELLBLAZE, NECROMANT, BAD MOON CARAVAN) The trio decided to record four songs together, which were released digitally in 2022. The feedback on this first sign of life was so strong and positive that the band completed the recording of a full album later that year. "Life Amongst The Damned" released April 4, 2023, contains ten tracks in the best US Metal tradition. Each song has its own face and makes sure that the debut is a traditional, heavy and varied release, proving that neither spatial separation nor language barriers hinder when the thought of metal unites.

What are the elements that make a good metal band? Kick ass, down and dirty riffs, killer, multi-ranged vocals, solid and pulsating backing drums and bass, now what elements make a great metal band? All of the before mentioned but blending it altogether with passion and exuberance. NOVA SKELLIS is smack dap in the middle and "Life Amongst the Damned" gives us a cacophony of beefy, edgy, devouring and assaulting metal riffs and melodies strongly reminiscent of bands like HELLOWEEN, DIO and IRON MAIDEN. Those influences are definitely present and apparent. I could use the age-old phrase "something we've all heard before", but I don't think that's fair or apropos because, like a dog marking his territory, they do still leave their own scent. The album ends with the two strongest songs "Mother May I?" and "Once Upon a Time", both which could have been on any DIO album.

This is a very enjoyable, rocking and head banging debut album, Any metal or NWOBHM fan will certainly not be disappointed. Just a dash more seasoning and NOVA SKELLIS can make the leap to a great meatal band.