Noage – “From Darkness to Life” | Progressive Rock Central.com

A good friend of mine, Massimo Pieretti, introduced me to one of his best friends, Germana Noage, a while back. Now Germana Noage has returned with a new album, along with her metal band, Noage, from Italy. Their new album is From Darkness to Life, and it was released on Revalve Records, on December 15, 2023.

This “𝕲𝖔𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖈 𝕸𝖊𝖙𝖆𝖑”, band, Noage, is made up of: Germana Noage, (formerly the lead singer of Aetherna); Michele Serra on all guitars; Massimo Pieretti on keyboards; Andres Gualco on drums; and Michele Raspanti on bass. They have a great sound which will remind many of Nightwish, Queensrÿche, and Dream Theater.

Germana has a remarkable likeness to Lady Gaga, (and Gaga’s last name was Germanotta, after all). So, it goes without saying, that Germana Noage, has a powerful voice, which sounds a lot like Lady Gaga, if she were singing metal. Germana sings loud and clear, and her lyrics are easily distinguishable. Which is a great plus, compared to many non-USA singers. Germana voice is also unique and incomparable to others singers in the genre. That is another benefit for this band; helping to distinguish it from the other bands in the metal genre.

From Darkness to Life, openswith bells and chimes, along with keyboards and orchestration, filling the soundscape on “Darklife Prelude”.

Powerful drums, orchestration, brilliant guitars, bass, and keyboards set the stage for Germana on the first full track, “Monsters”. Germana sings, with what sounds like, Derrick Sherinian/Kevin Moore era keyboards. Her voice rises as the amplified sound begins. She sings, “It’s hard to be a warrior, when the fight is against yourself. It’s like looking in a mirror and punching hard at your head. It’s a war that seems to never end. Hard blows, from several fronts. The secret is not dodging them, but to catch and feel all the pain. Face your fears, the monsters are here! They’re ready to offer you the keys as a reward for being a free human being!” And on this song, Germana is determined to call them out and secure her freedom. The keyboard and drum combinations are excellent. My wife listened to the album, and she says Germana sounds a little like Marina LaTorraca, from Phantom Elite; and now after listening for a while I have to agree.

“Silent Breath”, is another thunder breaker of sound, at its opening. Germana sings, “Strip off your mask. Throw away your iron mask cause it’s just as you feel. I’m on the threshold. Stop tormenting your mind. If you open your heart, you can see me inside. Tune into your soul. Let it lead you to the unknown world mirror of a dream”. A powerful electric guitar solo follows; these lasting, deep, and inspiring lyrics.

“Build Your Heart”, is a slower, ballad-like song, set to thick drums and bass. With peaceful keyboards and slow electric guitar playing. Germana describes the travels she has made to get to where she is now. She sings, “I was done with the music. I was done with toxic love. When all around me was just money and ego. I turned my back and left that world. I wandered aimlessly like a homeless hermit. Blow by blow, tearing pieces of my heart. I tried to collect them one by one, but I lost them along the way, in the storm. And suddenly you told me to build a new heart. I started to cry. Oh if you knew how much I cried. Screaming to the sky. How can I build a new heart!” An over 5 minute celebration of someone that you meet, that loves and cares for you; finally, after all of the tribulations that we go through in life.

Imagine the story behind the title of this song, “Playground of the Dead”. There is a video supporting this song, if you have any trouble. As you can imagine it is full of eerie soundscapes, lit well with powerful electric guitar and lightning like keyboards. There is a good reason they chose this, as the album’s first single. It is a valuable keeper. Massimo Pieretti’s beautiful piano interlude is followed by a sky high electric guitar solo from Michele Serra. Germana’s vocals are fantastic throughout. She sings, “Crying for lost humanity. Regrets for not being brave. Torn apart by ferocious greed. No shred of dignity remaining. Before it all ends, wake up and live! Run across the bridge!” Hopefully to a new tomorrow. Definitely one of the best songs on the album.

We all want to be, or find a “Superhero”. This song, features famous guitarist, Francesco Mattei rocking some powerful solos and riffs throughout. The keyboards are also wonderful surrounding the soundscape. Germana sings, powerful words to help remind people to be their own superhero, “Heart is the key superhero power. Don’t react, stand still. There’s something you’ve never seen reborn. Angelic being, feel your mighty wings. Now your path is lighter. It’s not as you see, but it’s just as you feel!” What more can you say?

“Never to Late”, features the wonderful vocals of solo metal vocalist, Kate Nord, dueting with Germana. They create great harmony together and produce another of the album’s highlights. Strings, violins and beautiful keyboard music surrounds this ballad. Germana and Kate sing together, “I tried to cover my heart and hide it under a rug. But as a push from within, the pain still hurts. I thought I was dying, a deep emptiness. In silence, I was crying and struggled lifeless. I caught a glimpse of you, lightning in the fog, on an ordinary day. You hit me from above. I forgot the blue and left my past behind. You’re my blessed rebirth”. Brilliant and inspiring lyrics, which we need so much today, from metal bands. Excellent guitar music backed well with splendid keyboards and drums.

In the USA, they are definitely gonna have a hard time getting radio air time for “Fuck This World”. Maybe not so in Italy. The song opens with perfect electric guitar, running fast, along with powerful keyboards. Like Dream Theater used to do in their heyday. The drums supporting, sound like Mike Portney has returned early, but for Noage. Then, Germana delivers the frustrated words about the sad state of the world, with wars and visions of death. Germana sings, in frustration, “We are leaving this world. There’s no time for second thoughts. Don’t be stiff just be ready. Wade the river to the shore. Just become who you are meant to be. Fuck this world! There is never an end in this cruel misery every day. Visions of the dead through a talking box”. The other band members have fun echoing the title’s blazing words. The guitar soloing is perfection!

“From Darkness to Life”, is the title and closing track on the album. Electric and bass guitar open the song up with drums rocking. Piano keys ring out behind the soundscape, providing great reflection. Germana sings, “A distraction. A loss of control. Your heart fell into the abyss all alone. Its bright red turned to black. Sinking to the bottom. Stuck in a rock. From darkness to life. When you think it’s all over, and that there is no other time. Everything seems to get lost. But faith shows you another truth. Rewind the tape and breathe again, from darkness to life!” An excellent way to end this inspirational album.

This is my first metal album review for 2024, and it gets this year off to a fantastic start! Germana’s voice is a great find. I will be listening to this one often this year. The album never stops giving you reasons to want to go back and listen to it, again and again. It moves at a good, fast pace throughout, welcoming the listener to join in. The wonderful blend of keyboards and guitar on this album bring back so many memories of when Dream Theater did just the same. Make this album an early purchase for the new year, and hear the new direction of metal for 2024…I hope! Welcome to 2024…and the new beginning of a NoAge metal reign!

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