Mike Browning has returned to the sci-fi, speed conjuring universe with Nocturnus AD. A moniker whose namesake combines two band names have returned from the halls of death metal immortals with a new record carrying a modern day, cemented old school sound that started the ‘90s Florida scene. Nocturnus, regarded as one of the most influential death metal bands ever, was laid to rest years later. After a pro-longed slumber, drummer and vocalist Browning excavated the sound and themes from inner earth with members of his band After Death rechristened as Nocturnus AD. The path to sci-fi technical death metal mastery has been reignited with blazing, molten earth scorching effect. The story told 28 years ago on 1990’s revered and referenced The Key has a sequel, carrying the storyline into 2019.
Browning continues the story on Paradox, starting in The Key’s shadow, weaving a new plot continuing the narrative of occult meets sci-fi with ancient technology meeting modern day biomechanical biology. Paradox follows Dr. Allen William Magus, a scientist ravaged by a war plagued disease surviving via a bio suit.
While the intensity remains, keyboards still pack a major, stellar-wide wallop with sinister creepy effects. A reminder is served of what made the band underground pioneers and the amount of talent present.
Paradox brings the vintage aesthetic of shredding technical finger-play, and the dark occult death metal blueprint that blistered eardrums on cassette and CD reclaiming its modern day throne, continuing immortality.
New single “Precession Of The Equinoxes” is about the shifting of the magnetic poles of Earth, while “The Antechamber” reveals ancient technology discovered in the Sphinx’s paw and the first song penned by the band post The Key.
From growling vocals to lightning striking guitars interplay with keys, creating an esoteric collection of sound barrier breaking songs Browning has brought the heart and ancient soul of the band replanting it into his modern day musical Frankenstein. With storytelling creativity, Browning has updated a sound merging Fear Factory with DragonForce from its original vintage brilliance.
“Seizing the Throne” begins with sci-fi sounds sizzling on synth with thrash guitars thundering through speakers with rib cage exploding force. Vintage production is remembered and championed with modern digital prowess and fluid cyber skill. Guitars and riffs squeak out like cybernetic voices. A re-identifying opening statement pounded into the skull with a six-stringed mallet.
“The Bandar Sign” is a space traveling communication signal lost in space, building anticipation like a gunslingers tense hand ready to draw. Turning on the wicked turbine processors, sounds scanning the brain with decapitation strength telepathic power.
“Paleolithic” chronicling the birth of mankind after the ice melts, sounds like a sound meter that couldn’t keep up with notes and riffs with a mishmash color pallet of adrenalized chords and finger engravings, exploring the circulatory functions of the brain on guitar.
“The AnteChamber” feels bass flashy and more direct like loud military marching to cosmic conflict. Death metal vocals sing the title as cybernetic sounds, static and robotic voices pass by in cosmic remains.
“Aeon of the Ancient Ones” has the eerie distorted sounds of violin strings and possibly the most classic thrash structure of the record with a creepy music box, synth riff mid-song.
If you weren’t around back then you’ll get an appreciation of the band and genre’s classic sound with updated power. With the story continued, fans that have waited a few decades now have a part two to wreck their neck to.
Earsplit PR
