Oh "puke" I thought to myself while listening to this album. Nokturnal Mortum (from none other than the Ukraine) sound like another filthy Dimmu Borgir clone. After listening to the album a few times, I still agree with that synopsis, but to a far lesser degree. Why you ask? Don't Nokturnal Mortum sound like such bands as the modern Dimmu Borgir and the modern Obtained Enslavement? Well yes they do, but they have two advantages over the previously mentioned bands. They are one: not plastic and fake sounding. You will not vomit too much after listening to this album. And two: They sound heterosexual in some sections.

I quite enjoyed Nokturnal Mortum's (then as NoKturnal Mortums) last outing, "Lunar Poetry". That's all I've actually heard from the band. But for synth drenched (and I mean DRENCHED!! Two keyboard players are going at it at once after all) black metal, it was still quite decent. It had a certain "feel" to it. This is basically the same though, with some improved musicianship, advanced production, and a minor change in "feel". A quality band from a technical standpoint, and I appreciate the intro to this album, but let it be known that it's simply not my cup of tea. People looking for a less plastic sounding version of Obtained Enslavement will generally enjoy this though. Besides a few moments though, I can't help but feel the need to stay near the toilet.And let it be known that someone going by the nick "Filth from the Cradle" also recommended it. You have thus been warned, and given a chance to make up your mind on whether this will appeal to you. If Nokturnal Mortum were from Norway, they would have been signed to a silly label like Nuclear Blast already, and touring with Dimmu Borgir at this very moment.

© 1997 brand