Music: Melodic Black Metal
Country: United States
Website: noctuary.net
Duration: 44:26
Cool Songs: Black Angels Return, Forever Shrouded Within This World, Sorrow in Winter Darkness, A Tear's Descent From Heaven (Live)
Southern Californias NOCTUARY is one of the figureheads of the USBM scene. They have played many high profile festivals such as Milwaukee Metalfest and Minneapolis Mayhem as well as opening for many great metal acts like DRAGONLORD. Those who have had the pleasure to witness the group can attest to its musical brilliancy. This brilliancy is showcased on the groups latest effort Recollections, which is comprised of material through out the bands career.
What makes NOCTUARY stand apart from the cookie cutter Black Metal acts overpopulating todays metal scene is that they are not a mere copy cat of classic Nordic Black Metal, but an amalgam of many styles of heavy metal. Sure, there is the Norwegian Black Metal influence evidenced through seething tremolo riffs and apocalyptic drum blasting. Lead guitarist and vocalist, Joe Van Fossen has a shrieking vocal style akin to EMPERORS Ihsahn in the later stages of his career. Also like Ihsahn, Fossen has a clean, bard-like vocal style. This vocal style draws comparisons to OPETHs Michael Akerfeldt as do the acoustic transitions found through out the album. The group shows its musical diversity at the end of Forever Shrouded within This World, which winds down with a fast, intense acoustic instrumental.
The albums tempo picks back up with what may possibly be NOCTUARY finest Black Metal moment, Sorrow in Winter Darkness. The guitars hit that perfect, cold tone that so many bands of this genre strive for, but often cant quite hit. In addition, the rhythm is the type of classic Black Metal riff that MAYHEM, EMPEROR, DISSECTION and other legendary acts produced back in the early to mid 90s that would hook you with one listen.
Without posing as a Gothenburg clone, NOCTUARY has also enthralled fans with its fondness for classic heavy metal, most notably IRON MAIDEN. Reflections draws an undeniable inspiration from MAIDEN with harmonious, note-based rhythms and Nicko McBrain rolling drum fills. A Blissful Scorn recalls DiAnno-era MAIDEN, but bridges into Black Metal oblivion. Also, those who have seen the group live will attest to their amazing, Black Metal version of IRON MAIDENs The Trooper.
Avid fans of the band may already own most of the material found on Recollections. The material on Recollections is already laid down on their other discs. If you do not own the bands discography or are seeking a refreshingly original Black Metal band to follow, look no further than Recollections.
note: 8.5/10
Tracklist
1. Recollections (Instrumental Intro)
2. Reflections
3. Loss and Redemption
4. A Blissful Scorn
5. Black Angels Return
6. Forever Shrouded Within This World
7. Sorrow in Winter Darkness
8. Passage (Instrumental)
9. A Tear's Descent From Heaven (Live)
Line-up
Joe Van Fossen-lead vocals, guitar
Rob Alaniz-drums, backing vocals
Steve Nelson-bass, backing vocals
Jeff Peters-guitar, backing vocals
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