Metalcatto
When I think of Japanese Old School Death Metal, my first thought is Intestine Baalism. I know that’s not entirely fair to Invictus, a band that comes from a musical culture renowned for taking something that works and refining it to an even higher standard. Hence, I held onto a sliver of hope that their new album, Nocturnal Visions, wouldn’t be another generic entry merely trying to catch Tomb Mold‘s fiery momentum. I was cautiously optimistic, yet acutely aware that this style is arguably one of the most stable and traditional niches in Metal, rivaled perhaps only by the steadfast formulas of Power and Symphonic Metal. But let’s dive in.
The answer, upon listening, is both yes and no. “What do you mean, Catto? That’s senseless,” you might ask. To which I’d reply that I’m under no obligation to make sense—but in truth, Nocturnal Visions is a fascinating study in contrasts. At its core, the album is deeply traditional, firmly sticking to the foundational riffing and atmosphere you’ve learned to expect from Old School Death Metal. Yet, there are consistent glimpses of something different, an almost fresh perspective woven into the fabric of decay. Is it a more pronounced melodic approach? Perhaps. There is simply a greater appreciation for what the instruments can express on their own, a texture that goes beyond the classic “hit that bastard with a shovel” blunt-force assault. This added layer of instrumental detail and slight melodic flourish is interesting, to say the least.
The tracks are admirably straightforward despite this more layered instrumental approach, with only the final song venturing into remotely epic territory. This brevity works wonderfully for Invictus‘s goals, as each composition concludes right before the relentless “blarr blarr” and machine-gun drumming risks becoming monotonous, leaving you wanting more rather than feeling exhausted. These are small but crucial details that successfully keep Nocturnal Visions from slipping into lame or derivative territory. However, it is now time for me to pull out the metaphorical wrench and deliver some constructive pain.
I still want Invictus to get crazier! Not in a proggy, bloated way—as the final track, while strong, already tests the limits of their current formula—but in terms of bold, distinctive identity. With a few more daring tweaks and perhaps a greater embrace of their unique cultural influences, Invictus could truly deliver something with enough originality to drown us all in a profoundly disturbing new vision (you know the drill: blood, guts, aliens, preferably all simmering together in the same horrific soup). I’m not even going to whine about the tracks having similarities, as they are uniformly a blast and cohesive as an album experience.
So, while it may not be The Anatomy of the Beast, I still enjoyed this album far more than I initially expected. Invictus remains a young band with immense potential, one that will hopefully continue to evolve and develop into its own authentic type of monster. With luck, MER Industries will be here to give the band another shot at achieving that greatness. For now, we have more than enough insalubrious and putrid riffs on Nocturnal Visions to brutalize our ears satisfyingly for the next few years, marking a solid and promising step forward in their career.
Label: Debemur Morti/Me Saco un Ojo Records
Release date: January 26, 2026
Website:https://www.facebook.com/InvictusDeathMetal
Country: Japan
Score: 3.5/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 