Bubblegum metal band Nova Riot team up with The Bunny The Bear for new single and video ‘The Altar’

Durant, Oklahoma, continues to prove itself as a surprising breeding ground for innovative heavy music, and Nova Riot is currently leading that charge with their latest music video for the track The Altar, a haunting piece of cinema directed by Paris Pipkin that perfectly encapsulates their self-defined bubblegum alternative metal aesthetic. Shot within the weathered walls of a decommissioned church, the video serves as a visceral extension of the band’s creative identity, blending high-fashion gothic sensibilities with the raw energy of modern hard rock. “The Altar” is the first of three music videos off the band’s debut full-length album Blood, Lies & Lullabies, which will be released on August 21, 2026 via rock and metal record label Eclipse Records.

The song itself features a collaborative effort with Matt and Brooke from The Bunny The Bear, adding layers of vocal depth to a track that bassist Orion describes as a thematic centerpiece for the band. According to Orion, the lyrical foundation of the song focuses on the concept of total surrender to an external force or person that ignites one’s internal inspiration. This idea of “casting spells” into the world is a recurring motif for Nova Riot, and The Altar represents the darker side of that ritualistic devotion. It explores the necessity of navigating through shadows to eventually find the light, a sentiment that resonates through the heavy, atmospheric production of the single.

“We see music videos as an extension of our art, so we enjoy having our hands in every aspect of the creative processes,” explains bassist Orion. “Our initial vision for the video was difficult to materialize because of the tight production deadlines given to us by Eclipse. We had hoped that Matt & Brooke could make it to the shoots but sadly, our schedules just couldn’t synch up to do it. So we had permission to film in this old church, a casket and masks which I hand-made, and Nova had a few wardrobe ideas. We brought my production assistant Riley, then Nova and I and filmed a bunch after we shot some b-roll. After we got all the hero shots, we decided to go off script a bit and throw Riley in some wardrobe and mask (which I also had hand-made). Those last-minute shots really married the video and the song. We thought we were just going to have to make the video super sexy to make up for the lack of a strong storyline, but thanks to Riley’s superb willingness to mask up and get behind the camera he saved the day! I’m a big horror buff… We love to shoot horror themed videos. I’m kind of like the Temu version of Rob Zombie if i had to compare my work to someone who might have inspired me!”

The heavy music landscape often feels like a choice between two extremes: the jagged, unpolished chaos of the underground or the sanitized, predictable shine of the mainstream. Every so often, a band emerges that refuses to acknowledge the boundary at all. Nova Riot, a trio operating out of Durant, Oklahoma, is that disruption. With their upcoming debut album, Blood, Lies & Lullabies, they have officially planted their flag in a territory they call bubblegum alternative metal. The album is a rare combination of commercial viability and uncompromising creative vision. It is a high-octane collision of grit and melody that feels both dangerously volatile and impeccably crafted. Produced by Braxton Henry and co-produced by Addison Ray and Paris Pipkin, the album boasts a cinematic depth that matches its conceptual ambition. The trio functions as a self-contained production powerhouse, prioritizing studio perfection and visual storytelling to create an immersive world for their listeners. Nova Riot is not just releasing a collection of songs; they are inviting the world into an immersive, rhythmic incantation. Altogether, the album contains seven tracks, including standouts like “The Altar (feat. The Bunny The Bear)”, “Midnight Coven Crush” and “Like I Meant It.” The album is set for release on August 21, 2026 via Eclipse Records.

Pre-Save or Pre-Order Blood, Lies & Lullabies at this location.

Blood, Lies & Lullabies track listing
01.  Haunting Me
02.  Midnight Coven Crush
03.  Casket
04.  The Altar (feat. The Bunny The Bear)
05.  Like I Meant It
06.  Through The Storm
07.  Sorry Mom

In an era of predictable formulas and recycled aesthetics, NOVA RIOT emerges from Durant, Oklahoma, as a formidable disruption to the heavy music status quo. Operating under the defiant mantra of “Music with No Apologies,” the trio has rapidly carved out a niche within a self-defined sonic territory they describe as bubblegum alternative metal. Nova Riot is Nova Ray (vocals), Orion (bass guitar), Ares (lead guitar).