Music: Black Metal
Website: http://www.umbramortis.com
Country: Latvia
Cool songs: Mogiljnaja Syrostj, Ne Mertvy, Vrolok, Zimnjaja Skazka
The eastern part of Europe has always specialised in pagan or death metal. NYCTICORAX from Latvia is an alternative this wacky trio plays pure black metal. The Umbra Mortis album was firstly released in 2004 in the number of 100 copies. All of the songs were recorded in Latvian language. In 2007 the band recorded and released Umbra Mortis MMVII – an English version of their first full length album.
The album starts extremely black, with some melodic elements it is possible to hear the melodic line, and that is quite nice. This operation allows others (not only black metal fans) to listen to this album. It is full of sound changes, mood changes and different motifs are flying everywhere. The pace also changes quite often. Prekrasnye Ljudi at the end sounds like early BLACK SABBATH. This pushes this song to a higher dimension. What is interesting about NYCTICORAX is the fact, that their music is not a constant brainless butchery, that anyone can listen to it without turning into a psychopath. This music gives more: involves the listener cool and dynamic riffs, extremely fast drums and Lodbrok's hoarse growl. All of these create a cool atmosphere and allow to like this album. What is more, the level of technicality is very high. The trio from Latvia proves that they deserve to be in a black metal cream. Pathetic intro(Intro) to Kraj Pustoty can be misleading, later on it is just sheer fanaticism. And this is the strength of NYCTICORAX they play the music and play with the music.
This is a good position for all black metal fans. NYCTICORAX are by no means very good. They can be an appropriate heir of such stars as SATYRICON. They have their own style and follow it, but without making everything boring. Complete fanatics of what they are doing. And they are doing it very well.
note: 8.5/10
Tracklist
Part 1: NOSFERATU
1. Mogiljnaja Syrostj
2. Prekrasnye Ljudi
3. Ne Mertvy
4. Vrolok
Part 2: ET DIABOLUS INCARNATUS EST
5. Intro
6. Kraj Pustoty
7. Carstvo Temnoj Beskonechnosti
8. Tjma Tak Blizka
9. Tenj Smerti [Umbra Mortis]
10. Zimnjaja Skazka
11. Armaggedon
12. Lucifer
Total playing time 58:33
Line-up
Lodbrok – vocals, guitars
Ashath – bass
Midgard – drums
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