Label - MNRK Heavy
Release Date - 28th October 2022
Words - Joey
When you think of Spain, the first thoughts are usually sun, sea, and sangria. Sitting outside a Spanish bar with a San Miguel listening to the hustle and bustle of the markets, inevitably a Spanish guitar somewhere in the mix and a straw donkey thrown in for good measure.
If you ever happen to find yourself in Valencia, you might find said guitar replaced with harrowing screams, double kick drums that will shake the table, and the donkey replaced with a goat. For this is where Iberian black metallers Noctem hail from.
Spain is not going to be the first country you think of when it comes to black metal, but make no mistake, Noctem is the business. To further add weight to this argument, they are the first metal band from Spain to perform in China and have toured with other BM bruisers, Marduk and Batushka. Therefore, Noctem is not to be ignored.
Formed in 2002, Noctem released its debut album, Divinity, in 2009. They have since released four more full-lengths and their latest album, titled Credo Certe Ne Cras, is set for release on the 28th of October through MRNK Heavy.
In a nutshell, this album is great. This is uncompromising BM that never outstays its welcome and is full of all the elements that make this genre so great.
The first thing that stands out on this album, or not, whichever way you want to look at it, is the production. It is well known in the early days of the second wave of BM that production was poor, almost unlistenable at times. As the years have gone by and technology has advanced, BM bands have taken the opportunity to use a clean, almost death metal style of production on albums. Noctem, to an extent, has taken this approach, but it still holds that rawer sound, which keeps that early wave charm and won’t put off the casual BM listener. For the die-hards, this should appease everyone.
The album has 10 tracks, which for a BM album, is a pretty good length. The tracks come in around the 4/5 minute mark and contain plenty of variation. The songs are very well structured. Mixed with, as you would expect, demonic howls, blast beats, and fast-tempo riffs. But also thrown in are melodic sections, which include pianos, which are found on ‘Chalice of Turpitud’.
Opening the album with ‘I Am Alpha’, a slow strumming of guitar strings, it then launches into a wonderful combination of pulverising riffs and hammering drums. And over the top are these pained vocals, coupled with backing monk-like chants. It is a ripping start to a strong album.
‘Sanctum of Anguish’ is the standout track on this album. A clean guitar opens proceedings, followed by a mid-paced section with female spoken words. It then explodes into a frenzy of fast riffs, unrelenting drums, and a stellar vocal delivery.
The charm of this album is really in the atmosphere it creates. It is dark, cold, and joyful all at once. With plenty of vocal "bleughs", it brings out the joyous feeling of first discovering BM all over again. The galloping bass sections and mid-paced riffing only add more to the nostalgic feeling.
Vocally, there are comparisons between Watain and Gorgoroth. The higher end, which Erik Danielsson delivers so well, and the lower end, which is aching to Gaahl.
Noctem is not reinventing the BM wheel here, and no one is asking them to. It goes back to the age-old phrase "If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it". The only fix you will be getting here is your fix of BM goodness.
8/10
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