Nokturnal Mortum
To the Gates of Blasphemous Fire
[The End]
Nokturnal Motrum is the most visible Black Metal band from the former Soviet
republics (they are from Ukraine), due to their signing to The End Records as
well as being distributed by Nuclear Blast in Europe. They are also a part
of a Russian "Black Metal Brotherhood" (i.e. a Russian version of the
Norwegian "Inner Circle"). However, they have been known to flirt with the
mainstream, and at one point had a "sell-out" reputation within Russian
underground. Nowadays, last I heard, they are firmly back into the ranks of
BMB, despite the Nuclear Blast connection.
Now for the music. While their previous "Goat Horns" album brought them the comparisons to Dimmu Borgir and, with it, a reputation of a "cheesy" band among the purists, on "To the Gates..." Nokturnal Mortum go for the more old school feel. The main reference point here is early Emperor, namely, "In the Nightside Eclipse." However, Nokturnal Mortum lack the above mentioned band's atmosphere. Instead, the lack of atmosphere is compensated with brutality. The thin and inaudible guitar sound of "Goat Horns" is replaced with an all powerful production, albeit a bit too thick. The guitar riffs, while not nearly as good as Emperor's, are quite passable. Powerful vocals are a plus. But as with "Goat Horns," the highlight of the album are the keyboard passages (thanks to two keyboard players), which add much color to the album. For instance, the folkish keyboard in the middle of "On the Moonlight Path" is, dare I say, almost funky. Hell, I could dance to it. The pace throughout the album is quite relentless and brutal. Only at the end the band slow things down with a pleasant instrumental "Cheremosh" and, more epic sounding final composition, "The Forgotten Ages of Victories." While "To the Gates..." is not an overly original or groundbreaking record, it is a solid and enjoyable Black Metal album.
© 1999 boris
Now for the music. While their previous "Goat Horns" album brought them the comparisons to Dimmu Borgir and, with it, a reputation of a "cheesy" band among the purists, on "To the Gates..." Nokturnal Mortum go for the more old school feel. The main reference point here is early Emperor, namely, "In the Nightside Eclipse." However, Nokturnal Mortum lack the above mentioned band's atmosphere. Instead, the lack of atmosphere is compensated with brutality. The thin and inaudible guitar sound of "Goat Horns" is replaced with an all powerful production, albeit a bit too thick. The guitar riffs, while not nearly as good as Emperor's, are quite passable. Powerful vocals are a plus. But as with "Goat Horns," the highlight of the album are the keyboard passages (thanks to two keyboard players), which add much color to the album. For instance, the folkish keyboard in the middle of "On the Moonlight Path" is, dare I say, almost funky. Hell, I could dance to it. The pace throughout the album is quite relentless and brutal. Only at the end the band slow things down with a pleasant instrumental "Cheremosh" and, more epic sounding final composition, "The Forgotten Ages of Victories." While "To the Gates..." is not an overly original or groundbreaking record, it is a solid and enjoyable Black Metal album.
© 1999 boris