German black thrashers Nocturnal have not released anything since 2014, except for an EP last year in fact, but that was the last time I heard from them. I remember chaotic gig madness in London way back in 2008, of course, this was all with a different line up. Moving forwards to now, Nocturnal are back and bring out their tried and tested rawness, certainly in the delivery. There are however some things that stand out as being less than business as usual.

The opening track ‘Black Ritual Tower’ is over 8 minutes long, quite frankly what is going on! Around the 4-minute mark, I heard some Maiden-isms of melody (‘Piece of Mind’ era) coming to the front in the guitar riffs. The mercenary vocal screams continue with their brand of edgy trash. Then further on, around the 7 minute mark (and I can’t believe I am writing this about Nocturnal) I hear some speed power metal melodies, a-la classic early Helloween. For me I say this as the sounds coming from the melodic nature of the guitar riffs makes me reminisce about such things.

‘…From Terminal Death’ is far less “experimental”! This is dirty in tone and delivery. The vile assault continues to the style that I would expect from classic early Nocturnal, you know, taking the filthiest moments of both Sodom and Kreator and to fit the bill, there are even sections where the timing appears to go haywire. To be honest, I’d have thought with the bands experience, this approach may have been more refined. But in the other hand, is it creative genius as the characterisation fits the sounds that comes blasting out. ‘Beneath a Steel Sky’ adds the melody again, but only at the start. The cluster bomb comes when the vocals start and you get pure blackened Teutonic thrash. ‘Faceless Mercenaries’ comes across as the perfect hybrid of both sides of the coin I have described earlier, both dirty and melodic.

In some places, the album tracks are a touch too long for the style, but it’s augmented with these little flashes of creativity, though I do find we ae not ready in the evolution for this. ‘Bleeding Heaven’ adds a touch of hardcore for the verse, not quite as black and evil in presentation, perhaps like some of the early alcoholic thrashers would have produced, their fellow countrymen.

I don’t find much in terms of rabid guitar solos on the release, such wanton desires are found with the riffs themselves that are plentiful along with “instrumental” sections of vile debauchery. These are sometimes found at a different tempo to the rest of such songs. ‘Damnations Hand’ is more conventional, more bestial filth that power screams. This track in particular has a strong backing sound. Here, the album has grown on me, transitions are slicker and more precise. Speaking of another endurance run, ‘Circle of Thirteen’ is close to 9 minutes…post 1985 apocalypse.

You may have to decide which Nocturnal camp you reside in, both melodic and the classic filth ridden blackened desires are represented. This one may split opinion, to me that’s good, it’s not relying on past laurels and line-up changes have been suitably adopted with influence. Each to their own, I like many aspects, I am still on the fence a bit, but it’s nice to hear these Germans return to the fold, pick your poison and take your change, either way, you get a wakeup call.

(7/10 Paul Maddison)

https://www.facebook.com/nocturnalunholythrash

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/nocturnal-serpent-death