NOX

NOX was a Hungarian pop band known for mixing modern pop music with traditional Hungarian folk elements. The group formed in 2002 and quickly became popular in Hungary. NOX had two main members: Szilvia Péter Szabó was the lead singer with a powerful voice, and Tamás Nagy was the creative musician who also performed energetic folk dances on stage. Together, they brought a unique sound and style that blended contemporary beats with Hungarian folk instruments and dance.

NOX released their debut album Örökség (“Heritage”) in 2002, and it was a big hit in Hungary, reaching number one on the charts. The band’s style combined catchy pop tunes with traditional folk melodies, which made them stand out. In concerts and videos, Szilvia would sing while Tamás and a troupe of dancers performed traditional dance. Their second album Bűvölet (“Enchantment”) came out in 2003 and also became very popular. By 2004, NOX had a Christmas album and several hit songs, firmly establishing them as one of Hungary’s top music acts.

In 2005, NOX gained international attention when they were chosen to represent Hungary at the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv. Their song “Forogj, világ!” (“Spin, World”) was a folk-pop track. During the performance, Szilvia sang in Hungarian while Tamás led dynamic folk dance routines, showcasing Hungary’s heritage to a wide audience. This was Hungary’s return to Eurovision after several years of absence. The group successfully qualified from the semi-final and went on to finish 12th in the Grand Final.

After Eurovision, NOX continued to enjoy success at home. Their 2005 album Ragyogás (“Shining”) featured the Eurovision song and was another number-one record. The band kept up a fast pace, releasing new albums almost every year. In 2006 they released Örömvölgy (“Joy Valley”), followed by Csendes (“Silent”) in 2007. Each album mixed upbeat pop songs with folk rhythms and instruments. NOX’s live performances remained very popular; they often included a live orchestra and elaborate dance shows. The group also won a Hungarian music competition show called Dalnokok Ligája, and received several music awards during this period. By 2008, NOX had released a seventh studio album (Időntúl – “Beyond Time”) and had many hit singles in Hungary.

In late 2009, NOX released their final studio album titled Most (“Now”). After seven years of making music together, the members decided to bring the band to an end. The group had released a total of seven albums and achieved great success in Hungary, but by the end of 2009 they chose to split up (a greatest-hits compilation was issued in 2010 to close their eight-year run). Szilvia and Tamás parted ways professionally, and the band ceased activities. 

After the breakup, Szilvia Péter Szabó continued her singing career as a solo artist. She released her own music, including albums such as Revolution, and remained active in the music industry. Tamás Nagy, who had been the producer and choreographer in NOX, stepped back from performing and worked mostly behind the scenes in music. 

Over a decade later, the story of NOX continued. In 2022, NOX surprised their fans by reuniting after 13 years. They put on a special comeback concert in November 2022 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band’s formation. The show was held at the Budapest Sport Arena and attracted a full house. Following the successful reunion show, NOX embarked on a nationwide tour in 2023, performing their classic songs live for a new generation of listeners. The band focused on live concerts and connecting with fans at home.