New Noise - The City of Virtue

New Noise

The City of Virtue
self-released; 2017

3.5 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

New Noise is a band from Australia comprised of Dom Macaluso and Nicholas Rickard. The band formed in 2017 and recently released The City of Virtue. The band stated, “when writing the album we really didn't want to stick to a specific genre.” I’ve said this before that being a genreless band is often confusing for audiences especially for a band that is starting out. If you aren't building a foundation you most likely aren't building an audience either. Although the band says they didn't want to stick to one particular genre I would say some of it falls into contemporary hard rock sound with a futuristic feel. I was reminded of Evanescence and Linkin Park  in a number of ways.

The album starts with “Fallen” which I thought was the most intriguing track on the album. It starts with beautiful vocals, traffic noise and distorted fragments. I wasn’t sure where this was headed. It never forms into much more than beautiful chaos and also isn’t indicative of any other tracks on the album.

Up next is “The Healer Who Murdered” which is the type of style the band plays through most of the album. This style was popular for awhile and the band doesn't introduce much new here but does it justice. The same could be said about “Last Light” which is another highlight.

The band starts to lose me on “Solitude.” It's largely an electronic song with some type of filter strapped on the whole song. I thought the song was skipping like when there were CD’s but I guess that was intentional. I’m all for effects and production techniques but the effects completely took over the song which has a lead vocal and melody.

I thought the band got back on track with “The Watchtower On The Hill” which was one of the more original songs and also well written. The band goes full on blood curdling metal with “Lust & Virtue” and “Rose In The Chaos” dips in to experimental ambient territory. They close with the seven-minute-plus “Lion“ which is all over the place stylistically and very ambitious.

One thing I can say about this album is that there is no sense of levity. Almost to the point where it can seem sort of funny. The band has a lot of hallmarks of a new band but mostly in the fact that the album didn't have much creative control and cohesive elements that establish a signature sound. Don't get me wrong. I like some of the songs and thought there was some talent here but would have a much harder explaining this band's sound in a couple of words which is typically something that successful band's have.

Overall, I was impressed for how newly formed they were and I am interested to see where they go from here.

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