I like this demo a lot, although I'm beginning to think nobody else does. The black metal here is fairly energetic and the lyrics are definitely depressing and cold, focusing on dying and the entrapment of one's soul rather than the traditional Satanic stances which are pretty difficult to invoke life into. Musically there's nothing groundbreaking at all, following a relatively conventional blasting double-bass pattern, although the ruthless screaming vocals and solos that sound as if they are part of a different recording strangely raise this up to a new level. Some keyboards are thrown into the mix as well, adding a good feeling of affective solitude, and ultimately everything blends into surrounds which I really find myself getting enveloped in.

Noctuary are an American band and this demo runs about 15 minutes in length, having been recorded in 1996 and put onto cd by the folks at Largactyl. So far I like everything I've heard by this band and if you see Where All Agony Prevails cheap, it's worth picking up.

© 2002 hando