Sitting on the throne, pondering how humanity has chosen to discard its waste into the very liquid that sustains it, I came to the profound realization that “space” Metal isn’t just a current trend; it has been hot since the 80s (you know, the era of terrible CGI and unmatched arms races). Nocturnus AD is simultaneously new and old. Those of you well-versed in The Culture will recall The Key, released under its previous band name. For those of you who are still tax-fed teenagers, you may recognize them from Paradox. But enough dwelling on the past; let’s delve into Unicursal and see what it has to offer.
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Unicursal is peculiar, to say the least. Similar to the way old Alien films feel now, it’s retro-futuristic. I guess that can be considered a merit in itself — to have an ancient interpretation of the future. It always helps to understand what people used to think would be important, but I digress. Adapting to Nocturnus AD‘s style isn’t easy; there’s nothing quite like it. What I will say is that even if you’re not fond of it, it’ll keep you interested by being bizarre in the most straightforward way possible. This isn’t Igorrr weird; it’s retro-weird.
The riffs are straight out of the 80s; they don’t indulge themselves much in complications; they hit fast and nasty, like a colonoscopy. Yet, there’s room for experimentation, especially when it comes to the synth work. Whether you love them or hate them, Nocturnus AD‘s synths are the staple sound of the band. It’s what gives their music that je ne sais quoi sound that has made it endure the test of time. I honestly can’t tell if I appreciate them or utterly despise them. That, my corpse-painted children, sums up my feelings towards the 80s in a nutshell.
Where can I get a jacket like that?
What is there to dislike? Well, Unicursal is extremely similar to its predecessor, so if you’re looking for change, keep protesting. This feeling gets multiplied when you realize that there’s been so much “space” Metal lately, with different approaches, philosophies, or aesthetics. Consumer fatigue is approaching. Though still odd, it makes Unicursal sound rather conservative (in the artistic sense — don’t kill each other for politics on my site; do that outside!).
Despite my reservations, I’d say give Unicursal a try. It’ll surprise you. Nocturnus AD sounds like Nocturnus AD, and that’s nothing but the coolest type of compliment a band can get. So if Black Metal in space is too edgy for you, perhaps try something less dramatic but weirder instead.
Label: Profound Lore
Release date: 17 may, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/NocturnusAD
Country: USA (FLORIDA!!!!)
Score: Good, but probably better high or 3.0/5.0 if you care
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