A distressingly slow post left SA waiting for some time for this release by Noctiferia, but it was so worth the wait – This is one album that you have to own!
Opening with the creepy ‘premonition’, first track proper ‘terror’ is a merciless attack on the senses that recalls vintage Fear Factory and Lamb of God. Unfeasibly heavy, it’s so much more than the current crop of over-hyped, over-promoted Killswitch Engage sound-a-likes out there and it’s both refreshing and thrilling to hear music this heavy played with such fire and conviction. ‘Delluders and followers’ is the soundtrack in your mind to The Terminator, filtered through some sweet guitar runs and the sort of drum assault that could quell a riot. Meanwhile keyboards are used sparingly to augment rather than overwhelm the sound and the production captures the whole thing in enviable clarity. ‘Monarch’ slows the pace for the briefest of moments for some atmospheric guitar work before coming crashing in like Dimmu Borgir at their peak, all crushing riffs and distorted vocals, while the unhinged guitar solo is a revelation. ‘Demoncracy’ is the closest the band comes to the sound of “Demanufacture” with its evil synth opening, tightly regimented guitar and “money is your God” refrain.
“Slavedriver” is somewhat faster than the previous tracks, returning to the Dimmu sound of ‘Monarch’, but with drums that sound simply HUGE, pounding away with enough ferocity to make the foundations of my flat crumble. It’s also a testament to this band’s skill that, like Dimmu Borgir, they’ve fashioned incredibly heavy music that is also accessible without any hint of compromise. ‘Rust’ once again slows the pace briefly, allowing the listener a chance to draw breath, but it’s only the briefest of pauses before the band slam in for a song that winds its way through a number of tempos and technology-aided aggression, allowing room for fluid solo in the bridge. ‘Non individuum’ is another sample infused slab of heaviness, ‘Cartarsis’ is a twisted, psychedelic fairground ride from hell and ‘Demagog’ sees the band laying down swathes of hyperactive guitar over a truly thunderous drum performance.
‘Holymen’ has a groove all of its own that should ignite dance-floors in rock clubs up and down the country, ‘Samsara’ arnasses the sound of the Far-East to good effect, all swirling winds and mystic voices, while finale ‘.M.02’ is a brutal trawl through martial drums, voices in the dark and eerie synth.
Too often bands are claimed to be the natural successor to something – but here Noctiferia take the blue print of Fear Factory’s ‘Demanufacture’ opus and filter it through NIN, Dimmu Borgir and Behemoth to create a truly stunning record. This is precise, technical metal with myriad ideas pumping through its evil core. To say that this album is recommended is not enough, if you love metal, you will love this exceptional album. Outstanding.
