Resurrected from the ashes of one of the most influential death metal bands of all time, Nocturnus, NOCTURNUS AD was initiated by Nocturnus founder/mastermind/death metal legend Mike Browning (also co-founder of Morbid Angel) to continue the path that was laid down, 28 years later, by the legendary Florida death metal band's seminal 1990 album "The Key". An album recognized as one of the most important death metal albums of all time.
Entitled "Paradox", the debut NOCTURNUS AD full-length album is the direct and proper follow-up to "The Key", musically and thematically where the story and themes vocalist/drummer Browning laid out with "The Key" continue with "Paradox" through the lens of the occult. The story follows the journey of Dr. Allen William Magus (aka Dr. Magus), a scientist who got ravaged by a war plague disease and kept what was left of himself alive by creating a bio suit, from the aftermath of the events that went down in “The Key”.
On a musical plane, "Paradox's" otherworldly, technical dark atmospheric occult death metal blueprint harnesses and carries on the energy of "The Key" and the overall cult death metal vibe of the early '90s in the singular forward-thinking way that Nocturnus exhibited. Musically overwhelming and pretty much a sonic attack on the senses from every angle, "Paradox" is sci-fi death metal reclaiming its throne back to its originators. With Browning (technically returning to Nocturnus lore since 1992) commanding the craft alongside a lineup (that also forms his other band, After Death) that continues the Nocturnus legacy through guitarists Demian Heftel and Belial Koblack, bassist Daniel Tucker (ex-Obituary), and keyboardist Josh Holdren. With the blazing and fervent guitar work of Heftel and Koblack and with the carefully orchestrated keyboard sounds being the most developed out of any Nocturnus-related release, this integral component helps solidify the calculated pummeling rhythm section in resurrecting the classic sound of "The Key". And of course Browning's distinct vocals spewing the incantations containing the classic Browning vocal traits as reflected on "The Key" and of course Morbid Angel's classic "Abominations Of Desolation", with Browning of course being the co-writer of some of those classic and signature Morbid Angel anthems of old.
Overall, "Paradox" will see NOCTURNUS AD reclaim and continue to properly carry the torch of the legacy Nocturnus' laid down with "The Key", "Paradox" being the ceremonial illuminating Nocturnus-related release that has finally befallen the mortal coil after 28 years.
Track Listing:
1. Seizing The Throne
2. The Bandar Sign
3. Paleolithic
4. Precession of The Equinoxes
5. The Antechamber
6. The Return of The Lost Key
7. Apotheosis
8. Aeon of The Ancient Ones
9. Number 9
Artist: NOCTUNRUS AD
Title: Paradox (2LP)
Label: Profound Lore Records
Release Date: May 24, 2019