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From the band name I was expecting some high-flying, new-agey Prog/Power, but that is not what this is at all, thank fuck. Ardent Nova have existed—at least conceptually—for like 20 years as Pagan Thunder, which I think is a better name, but whatever. This is a project of guitarist Mike Pardi, who is maybe best known from his former band Draconis and as the other other guy in the classic Ritual lineup. One spin of this and you will not be surprised to know that this guy also played on the classic Soldiers Under Satan’s Command.

This sits in a zone between Suidakra/Amon Amarth-styled Melodic Death Metal and straight-up Thrash with a blackened kick. What this really is, is a riff-fest of epic fucking proportions. Pardi has loaded this thing with shovelfuls of hooky, head-smashing licks that will keep your neck flailing and your fist in the air. Pardi’s vocals are harsh, even though he was originally planning to record this with a melodic singer, so the mix between melodic and more extreme metal sensibilities makes for a striking and addictive sound. Killer shit.