Nocturno Culto (A.K.A Ted Skjellum ) is a revered figure within the heavy metal community whose contribution to the black metal scene is indisputable. A founding member of seminal black metal act Darkthrone, he has been responsible for some of the grimmest, most darkly fascinating music in recording history. A mordant counterpart to the energetic Fenriz, his influence came to the fore on the brutal ‘Ravishing grimness’ and ‘plaguewielder’ resulting in the band moving in a more heavy metal direction, away from the dark and dirty black metal of their earlier records. An artist who has steadfastly refused to be defined by any preconceived boundaries, Nocturno Culto first appeared as a solo artist on ‘the misanthrope’, a documentary about the isolation and chaos of black metal, and for which he provided an oddly unsettling soundtrack. Gift of Gods, however, is something more. Nocturno Culto’s first real foray into music away from the mothership of Darkthrone, ‘receive’ is a four track, thirty-minute blast of rock ‘n’ roll that operates along the border between Venom and early Motorhead. It is a raw, spirited affair, which actually exceeds expectations and marks out Gift of Gods as an enthralling new venture from a life-long metalhead.
‘Enlightening strikes’ is the prefect opening track. Emerging from a horrific wall of ambient noise, the sound is not unlike that of Sepultura’s super-charged cover of ‘Orgasmatron’, the guitars chugging away against a simplistic percussive backdrop with real power. This is the heavier end of 80s metal returning with a vengeance, and Nocturno Culto’s tightly wound vocal performance, sitting at the heart of it, is the perfect finishing touch. The biggest surprise is the power of the production here, the guitars and drums ringing clearly through whilst the bass churns the background into a sludge-ridden mire and turned up loud (as it is surely meant to be played) the recording crackles with infernal menace. What an introduction to the band! Fans of old-school metal will be in raptures at this raw, energetic performance and as the song moves into an elegant mid-section, complete with harmonised guitar solo, the depth of Nocturno’s vision become clear. ‘Receive’ is an adrenalin charged follow up that, while instrumental, features the sort of feral riff that has the blood instantly pumping around your veins. Nocturno, no stranger to crafting immense riffs, cleverly keeps the sections short, so the song flows between riffs, always keeping interest and excitement levels high and the song, once again, benefits from the strong production that sees the guitars grind away with real force.
Harking back to the penchant of eighties metal bands to cover their heroes, ‘Looking for an answer’ is a cover of Sweden’s Universe, a little remembered heavy metal band from the 80s. With vocals from S.A Hubred the track rages with melodic fury, bringing to mind Poland’s Panzer X (another band who bought modern power to old-school classics), Tank and Jaded Heart and it is a song that crackles with headbanging cool, Nocturno Culto’s solo proving to be particularly majestic. ‘Last solstice’ closes the album on a high, with heavily distorted, mid-tempo riffs, string scrapes and a vocal that is closer to Fields of the Nephilim than straight forward heavy metal. At seven minutes it is a lengthy, even doomy, closer that draws together numerous threads from the 80s heavy metal scene and delivers them as a grand finale, reeking of sulphur, incense and unrequited lust. The album fades out into the same mire of unnerving noise from which it rose and the overall impression is that ‘receive’ is but the first step on a lengthy journey, the end of which cannot yet be foreseen.
No fan of heavy metal was going to suggest that Nocturno Culto, shorn of Fenriz’s hyperactive presence, would produce a disappointing album, but even so ‘receive’ surprises with its power and vitality. Part love letter to the metal that informed Nocturno Culto’s earliest days, part statement of malevolent intent, ‘receive ‘ is a mini-album that sits firmly in the present thanks to the searing production of Jack Control. Beautifully packaged with David Thierree’s stunning artwork (and laid out by resident Peaceville art-guru Matt Vickerstaff) and without a dull moment in sight, ‘Receive’ is an essential purchase for any fan of heavy metal and, with any luck, it marks the start of a whole new chapter in Nocturno Culto’s recording career. ‘Receive’ is a brilliantly promising start.
