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Personnel:
Nova Ray – vocals
Orion – bass
Ares – lead guitar
Matt Thompson – drums (guest)
Producers: Braxton Henry
Release Date: August 21, 2026
Record Label: Eclipse Records
Oklahoma trio Nova Riot make their debut with Blood, Lies & Lullabies, bringing together heavy sounds and sharp melodies in what they describe as bubblegum alternative metal.
I have always loved music that can transport you somewhere through its atmosphere. It could make you feel like you are in a horror movie, another era, or even a completely different world. Sound effects or instruments from certain folk traditions can help create that feeling, but there is something especially impressive about doing it with just the usual tools of a band. That is exactly what Nova Riot achieves on Blood, Lies & Lullabies. From the very first track, Nova Ray’s haunting vocals and the sharply produced music pull us straight into the world the band has created.
If you’re into any of these artists, this album should be on your radar.
“The Altar” has pretty much everything I want from a song. It starts off with a soft melody, making it perfectly placed in the album to give the song before it a completely different feel, before hitting you with a heavy beat and a melodic choir. Nova Ray’s vocals are incredible on this song. Not only does she have such a unique tone, but you can really hear how much emotion she puts into every part of it. The Bunny The Bear’s guest appearance works beautifully too, adding another voice that makes the song richer. And then there’s that delicious guitar solo!
Nova Riot call their sound bubblegum metal, which is probably the best way to describe how unique Blood, Lies & Lullabies feels. They mix dark, spooky tones with nu metal vibes, creating an atmosphere that stays with you throughout the album. The guitars play a big part in that, going from the nice opening melodies to expressive solos that bring a lot of emotion to the heavier songs.
Nova Ray’s vocals really stand out on this album. She has such a unique tone, and you can really hear how much emotion she puts into her voice. Her delivery has that early 2000s post-hardcore feel, especially when she gets more intense. She goes from the creepy tone on “Haunting Me” to the beautiful melodic singing on “Casket” without missing a beat. My personal favorite is “The Altar,” where she really shows how easily she can switch between different vocal tones and levels of heaviness. Then there is “Like I Meant It,” where she delivers some very relatable lyrics with so much passion, and “Sorry Mom,” where she just pours all those feelings into the song.
The album deals with mental health, inner conflict, and the difficult choices we sometimes have to make to find some peace. You can hear all of that in the music too. The heavier parts and the brighter hooks give the songs this feeling of being pulled in different directions, while Nova Ray’s vocals really bring those emotions to life.
If that is what bubblegum metal sounds like, count me in. Nova Riot debut with a confident heavy album not afraid to show emotion, while being undeniably catchy.
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Emotional Struggle – escape emotions through some heavy tunes
Working out – great source of energy for your workout sessions
Gaming – listened to it while playing Minecraft and was great
Long drives – but keep eyes on the road
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