NOCTURNA – New Evil (Official Video)

A New Chapter of Gothic Symphonic Power

Nocturna return to the spotlight with the official video for New Evil, a track that sharpens the band’s signature blend of gothic atmosphere, symphonic grandeur, and power metal urgency. Co-fronted by singers Grace Darkling and Rehn Stillnight, and driven by the songwriting of Federico Mondelli (Frozen Crown, Volturian), the piece arrives under the Scarlet Records banner with a fully articulated visual concept and meticulous studio polish.

Inside the Sound of New Evil

New Evil is built on a framework where relentless rhythm work meets sweeping melodic lines. The composition leans into minor-key motifs and dramatic chord progressions, pairing fast, articulated riffing with orchestral accents that rise and fall with the vocal melodies. Tempo and intensity shifts are timed to underline the chorus, vaulting the track from tight, verse-driven momentum to an expansive hook designed for maximum impact.

The arrangement favors clarity and propulsion. Guitars cut cleanly through the mix with well-defined palm-muted passages that open up into searing leads when the chorus crests. Underneath, the low end remains assertive but controlled, giving the song a solid foundation without crowding the orchestral layers. The result feels confident and aerodynamic: focused enough for head-down speed, yet broad enough to carry the gothic and cinematic elements that define Nocturna’s aesthetic.

Dual Vocals at the Forefront

As ever, Nocturna’s identity hinges on the interplay between two lead voices. Grace Darkling and Rehn Stillnight alternate lines, trade harmonies, and converge in layered refrains that emphasize contrast as much as unity. One voice often carries a brighter, cutting tone while the other anchors with a darker shade, and the arrangement lets both timbres occupy distinct lanes without competing for space. Call-and-response phrasing heightens the song’s tension, while stacked harmonies in the chorus amplify the lyrical cadence and emotional weight. It is an execution that prioritizes precision and character over excess, ensuring the vocals remain the narrative engine throughout.

Guitars, Bass and Drums: Precision and Drive

Hedon’s guitar work prioritizes clarity and articulation, balancing brisk downpicking with melodic ornamentation that nods to European power metal traditions. Antares keeps the low end tight and musical, locking in with the kick patterns to thicken the riffs without obscuring the orchestral layers. Deimos’s drumming favors punch and forward motion, deploying double-kick figures and emphatic cymbal work to lift transitions and spotlight the choruses. The rhythm section’s restraint is notable: fills are purposeful, and dynamic swells serve the arrangement rather than overwhelm it.

Symphonic Sheen and Studio Craft

New Evil’s symphonic dimension is woven as a textural support rather than a blanket. Orchestral pads, choral voicings, and cinematic synth lines bloom around the guitars and vocals, accenting phrases and punctuating transitions. The production by Andrea Fusini, who recorded, mixed, and mastered the track, keeps each element in clear relief. Vocals sit prominently without crowding the instrumentation, guitars retain bite and body, and the low end remains coherent. The master is crisp, with transient detail preserved and enough headroom to let the orchestral accents breathe.

A Video Steeped in Iconography

Directed by Luca Morselli alongside Federico Mondelli, with Mondelli also handling art direction and editing, the official video frames New Evil through stark, evocative imagery. Performance is central, but the visual narrative leans on emblematic details that reflect the band’s gothic sensibility. Mask design by Mondelli functions as a key motif, giving the clip a unifying symbol and an immediate visual hook. The editing pace tracks the song’s dynamics, tightening around the verses and expanding for the chorus, while camera work highlights the interplay between Nocturna’s two lead singers. It is a concise, stylized presentation that complements the track’s balance of theatrics and precision.

Credits and Personnel

Songwriting: Federico Mondelli
Publisher: Scarlet Records Srl
Recording, Mixing, Mastering: Andrea Fusini
Direction and Filming: Luca Morselli
Direction, Art Direction, Editing: Federico Mondelli
Mask Design: Federico Mondelli

Grace Darkling: lead vocals
Rehn Stillnight: lead vocals
Hedon: guitar
Antares: bass
Deimos: drums

Context and Continuity

Nocturna emerged as a gothic symphonic/power metal outfit founded by the dual-vocal tandem of Grace Darkling and Rehn Stillnight, with songwriting helmed by Federico Mondelli. Their debut album, Daughters of the Night, arrived on January 21, 2022, establishing a blueprint of high-velocity riffing, choral inflections, and two-voice storytelling. New Evil builds on that foundation, further refining the contrast at the heart of the band’s sound and strengthening the connection between the studio craft and the visual identity.

For Listeners of Kindred Sounds

Fans who gravitate toward the dramatic sweep of Nightwish and Epica, the anthemic surge of Powerwolf and Unleash The Archers, and the melodic theatricality found in Within Temptation and Ghost will find familiar touchpoints here. New Evil places Nocturna firmly within that lineage while preserving a distinct character rooted in dual-lead vocals and a precise, melody-first approach.

Final Thoughts

Compact, hook-forward, and visually cohesive, New Evil underscores why Nocturna’s formula resonates: disciplined riffing and orchestration, clear melodic priorities, and a strong narrative carried by two complementary voices. It reads like a statement of intent, distilling the band’s gothic symphonic energy into a track and video that feel both immediate and carefully constructed. For those following the group since Daughters of the Night, it is a confident next step; for newcomers, an accessible and striking entry point into Nocturna’s world.