Nova Cascade is back…unfortunately, for their fifth and final album, Box Man, releasing on April 21st, on Invictus Music Ltd. Box Man is the follow-up to the band’s acclaimed fourth studio album, The Navigator, which was released last year. The Navigator was a tribute to guitarist Eric Boulette, (also of French prog rockers Nine Skies, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2022). The Navigator also featured, Ghost Of The Machine vocalist Charlie Bramald, among others.
Nova Cascade is a UK-based collaboration between musicians: Dave Hilborne, playing keyboards, singing lead vocals, and creative music programming and percussion; Dave Fick, on bass; Colin Powell, playing guitars, and additional keyboards, as well as bass on “The Choice”; and Nina Chikviladze, playing violin.
Box Man, the band’s most ambitious project to date. It features an impressive 28-minute, eight-part opus titled “The Choice”, while the title track concludes a piece of music that was originally conceived in 1996. David Hilborne explained the concept behind Box Man, “started off as a far more fantastical idea of an individual occupying two different realities. Eventually, I settled on a far more grounded lyric about homelessness and how each of us is at the mercy of circumstances that dictate our lot in life. The cards refer to the opening line of Box Man, “Low the hand life had dealt him”.
Box Man, has seven songs on it. David explains, “I have a narrative that occupies the individual parts. The track begins with a choice to visit a remote, unknown location, whereupon our protagonist receives a mysterious signal drawing him to an isolated community that is home to an end-of-the-world cult led by a charismatic leader. In due course, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems, and he is forced to flee to the desert. A tumbleweed town, if you will. From there he is confronted by many outside forces; some spiritual, others psychological. The moral of the tale is that we are looking for something in one form or another, but with that comes many different consequences”.
Box Man, opens with the epic; over 28 minute, “The Choice”. It is a symphonic masterpiece, full of intricate keyboard melodies and playing, along with inspired violin throughout. The bass and percussion play along with the electric guitars only enhance this simply mystical soundscape. Just try not to imagine being in the story or feeling every emotion of this intricate anthem of sound.
After the opening track, you will either be lulled to sleep with beautiful, dreamy music, or ready for something different.
“Smoking Gun”, starts off with beautiful piano, and it is one of the few songs on the album with lyrics and vocals. It is left to tell the story of the Boxman, who is the central figure. Dave Hilborne sings, “Pray I never forget”. Then, some cool Genesis-like keyboards before deep cathedral – like organ. Hilborne continues, “Always the same. In single file. Chances gone to ground. Unclaimed & drowned. On a clear day, he would say he could see for miles. Walk the cardboard streets of an unknown town. In the hope that he may find something not yet found. But in his dream, it would seem she was there to tease”. Hilborne has that almost whispering vocal that calls you to attention to try to hear all the lyrics. It is one of the most unique vocals in progressive rock. And I, for one, will miss hearing his vocals on these albums. But hopefully he will join another band and continue. Hilborne continues the story, “Dealing with the rage in the written words. But a time will have to come to accept what’s done. And in a way, all this pain leaves a smoking gun. Pray I never forget”. Probably the second-best song on the album because of Hilborne’s trademark vocals.
“If You Don’t Succeed”, is another wonderful keyboard display instrumental augmented with percussion beats, bass guitar and lead guitar. An over 5-minute masterpiece of prog. Magic Pie may have the new album title Maestro, but this instrumental music is maestro level to my ears.
“Sentry”, opens with sounds of military conflict, eerily reminiscent of Steve Hackett’s “Tigermoth”. Dave Hilborne sings, “Bullets fly over darkened sky. Through aging eyes. He watches decline. He is a sentry. I better get in bed and try not to spill the hot cocoa. Bad dreams again. I’ll burry my head in the pillow. And I won’t dream of all the things I have seen. The echoes of the screams on the frontline. The roar from the gunships on the frontline. The ricochet that saved me on the frontline. In 44. Like yesterday”. Over 5 minutes of music that will hold you captive with emotion. Dave’s almost crying vocal delivery is something few singers can do as effectively. It really is amazing to hear.
“As It Was and Is”, is another wonderful keyboard instrumental filled with emotional violin and orchestrated strings, before the electric guitars take off. The percussion mixes and sounds are inventive. Over 4 minutes of intricate symphonic instrumental music.
“Box Man”, is the best song on the album. It opens with a dramatic and gothic, full on, pipe organ instrumental, like a Bach concerto. It is awesome. Dave Hilborne returns to sadly and softly sing, “Low the hand life had dealt him. Transfixed. A smile chiseled in place. To dignified for the gutter but out of place on a bench. He makes his claim. “I am master of all I see”. He looks no further than the end of his outstretched hand. Starving he shuffles on”. Just like the “Aqualung”, of Jethro Tull fame. A sad song, but a reality for so many lost souls who wander the Earth. Over 7 minutes of empathetic and warm music.
“The End of the Line”, is a wonderful closing song on the album. It is over 5 minutes of closing keyboards and instrumentals to help you remember the waves of sound delivered by this wonderful band.
Nova Cascade’s Box Man, is absolutely amazing in its instrumental delivery. Every inch of this album is worth a listen. It will be the last album produced by the band, so please give it a listen. Nova Cascade is famous for their cinematic, symphonic progressive instrumental sound, and Box Man takes that sound to an even higher level. Yes, the story is sad, and so is the singing, but the music is full of its own beauty and warmth. Box Man absolutely brings Nova Cascade’s musical magic to its zenith, as this sad closing. It really is a shame this band has decided to call it quits. But Nova Cascade are leaving on a very high note with Box Man.
Album Track List:
- The Choice – 28:11
- Smoking Gun – 4:19
- If You Don’t Succeed – 5:15
- Sentry – 5:04
- As It Was & Is – 4:42
- Box Man – 7:20
- The End of the Line – 5:16
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://novacascade.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NovaCascade/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dz2Cskh2KRDLcbHU6dt89#login
https://x.com/nova_cascade