NOCTEM “Oblivion” (2011)

Lineup:
Exo – lead Guitars
Beleth – Vocals
UI – Bass
Darko – Drums
Helion – Guitars

Tracklist:
01. Popol Vuh
02. The Arrival Of The False Gods
03. Universal Disorder
04. Abnegation And Brutality
05. Invictus
06. Sons Of Hun-Vucub
07. Seeking The Ruin Of Souls
08. Unredemption
09. Q’uma’rka’aa’j
10. A Borning Winged Snake
11. Oblivion

They forgot His deeds And His miracles that He had shown them. Psalm 78: 11

Friend, know first that I am not made of wood, but of corn. I am therefore for perfection…

Second part of the trilogy with Divinity (2009), the Spanish NOCTEM sink here the nails and release a superb album of Black-death metal to a high standard, which no doubt it is a must as the Latin response to all the “Behemoth” of the planet.

Referring to the sacred texts about mythological Maya “Popol Vuh” (a pre-Colombian bible refers to the origin of man), NOCTEM with strength and brio demonstration extent its technical nature and the brightness of the musical comments leave here our mouth gaping. It is dark and majestic metal in question, wealth sharing, for a true trip alongside of people (Quiché), of a civilization, of Kings and Gods.

“OBLIVION” was engraved at Ultrasound Studios 2 in Portugal under the eye of the guru Daniel Cardoso (Angelus Apatrida, Ava Inferi), wearing the beautiful artwork, created by the talented Brazillian artist Marcelo Vasco (Dark Funeral, Belphegor etc), is permanently a high quality “Dantesque” album, which in each new listening offers treasures of intelligence. Powerful, sleek, ever since the latest Behemoth (and Nile in a Death Register) I had felt such emotions.

This “Empirical” metal, because most higher than the Tower of Babel, heavier than any pyramids, more flamboyant than the “Nuestra Senora de atocha”, this metal exceeds the rigorous framework of music and becomes by extension an incredible auditory and mental experience, an atonal psychic explosion.

The intro is almost a disturbing tribal mood, that announces the settlement. Here, Take No Prisoners, “The Arrival Of false Gods” undermine everything. Enraged Black Death, the master is perfect, the voice, Sickly & Black, irritate, wind and twist our soul. Electric lightning from the Sun and Venus, the solos, on some pachydermic rhythmic they cut all flesh.

“Universal disorder” and “Abnegation and brutality”,  inhumane percussions beat, reduce our last few resistors in porridge as vindictive warriors’ screams. Clearly, this album will mark our memory with a red iron.

Well, “Invictus” (first single) advocates what it preaches. Fury fury fury. These feelings are acknowledged in the last Watain and Endstille, other dark inspired brothers. Some arpeggios convene Immortal (Q ‘uma’ rka ‘aa’ j), howling ghosts in the frost of an another time…

Epic, heavy, black-metal to deeper into his arteries, “Unredemption” leaves reveal a progression of the most beautiful theatral effect, a perfect synapse joining melody and refined brutality. Beleth (vocals) at the top from the beginning to the end, restless and gutsy (“Borning A Winged Snake” and “Oblivion”) helped by the lead guitarist in State of grace, Exo, and by the rithmic section in our imagination seeing the day to end in a Norwegian Forest, because this Scandinavian “Savia” flows, it is, in their blood.

When the latin blood mixes with the purest snow of the fjords, you touch the sublime. For all the lovers of Extreme and truely inspired music, this album is essential.

“La pluma es el intérprete del alma: lo que uno piensa, uno expresó” (Miguel de Cervantes)

Roots bloody Roots…

Reviewed by MEL DELACROIX