Review: NOCTEM “Oblivion” (2011)

Posted by Dylan Raine on June 11, 2012
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , . 4 Comments

Reviewed by Dylan Raine

Artist: Noctem
Album: Oblivion
Label: Metal Blade Records
Date of Release: 25th October 2011.

1. Popol Vuh
2. The arrival of the false gods
3. Universal disorder
4. Abnegation and brutality
5. Invictus
6. Sons of Hun-Vucub
7. Seeking the ruin of souls
8. Unredemption
9. Q’uma’rka’aa’j
10. A borning winged snake
11. Oblivion

Reigning in as extreme metal band in April 2001 ‘Noctom’ first defines its ideals based in the antithesis of the whole absurdity of human religions, misanthropy and cult to former civilizations, violence, destruction and death (which is a good start). Onto the next 10 years and many tours later and we are given their latest album ‘Oblivion’ which has attracted new listeners far and wide in metal and beyond.

With the haunting intro of ‘Popol Vuh’ taking you into the possibilities of this band you really are left standing on a podium among your minions awaiting instruction from above.

Into the album and shear speed is beyond everything else, with screams and growls from the vocalist controlling the stage whilst the guitars take the songs into something entirely different. A mix of Wah/Wah commands to be heard and is well executed throughout even though I’d have never seen it coming. With the blast beats and double picking in ‘Abnegation and brutality’ really opens up this track combined with the the shouting and vocals are really something else. Melodies come in and out here and drive this track into another realm entirely.

IF you’ve ever wanted haunting intros and high octane riffing then look no further than ‘Unredemption’. It is fast, well… faster than that, but very well delivered none-the-less. Also, whilst we’re in that frame of mind take yourself into ‘Q’uma’rka’aa’j’ with the echo chambers and choirs to slightly adjust your mindset for a moment before the inevitable takes place and blows your head off.

This is beyond fast, but exciting to listen to. If you like your metal extreme, then what are you waiting for? Grab this album, you might just like it.

9/10

http://noctemofficial.com
www.myspace.com/noctemofficial
https://www.facebook.com/noctemofficial

EUROPEAN CONQUEST 2012 (including Summer Fests)

30 MARCH-2012, MOITA METAL FEST // MOITA (PT)
06 APRIL-2012, MARISCO ROCK FEST // GRANADA (SP)
07 APRIL-2012, SEVILLA ROCK // SEVILLA (SP)
14 APRIL-2012, HUGINNS AWAKENING FEST // OSTEND (BE) with Valkyrja…
15 JUNE-2012, JAM ROCK FEST // ZAMBERK (CZ)
16 JUNE-2012, CZECH DEATH FEST // CERVENY KOSTELEC(CZ) with Suffocation, Dark Tranquility…
17 JUNE-2012, TBC // PRAGUE (CZ)
20-21 JULY, COSTA DE FUEGO // BENICASSIM (SP) with Guns n Roses, Marylin Manson, In Flames…
17 AUGUST-2012, LEYENDAS DEL ROCK // MURCIA (SP) with Eluveite, Stratovarius…
18-19 AUGUST-2012, MOTOCULTOR FEST // BRETAGNE (FR) with Deicide, Municipal Waste, Septic Flesh…