Ethereal Tomb

Nocturnus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 22, 2000)
• Original Release Date: March 14, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Necropolis Records
• ASIN: B00004D3EF
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #585,481 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Orbital Decay

2. Apostle of Evil

3. Edge of Darkness

4. The Killing

5. Search for the Trident

6. Paranormal States

7. The Science of Horror

8. Outland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What I think of the album, December 26, 2003

By 

Louis Panzer "musicdude" (Lutz, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ethereal Tomb (Audio CD)

I wish I had more than 1000 words as I would surely lay this album and band open for the world to see (those who choose to look anyway.) Our intent with this album was to NOT carry on certain expectations that we knew would accompany the return of the band. With a new drummer and Emo on vocals, we thought we could try and create something for ourselves that the fans would enjoy as well. Much has been made about the "comeback" but really what started it off was Sean and I creating some ambiant riffing (later to become paranormal states and edge of darkness)...Mike came on board then Emo and then we found Rick.

I feel that this album suffers from two notable points...
1) keyboards are too low in many spots
2) vocals (love them or hate them) take away from the grooves that otherwise might have appealed to a wider metal audience.

I feel the album is strong on these points:
1) tasteful construction of songs
2) Thoughtful leads strategicaly placed in the music
3) Some great hybrid songs (Search for the Trident) and some over all ball busting, teeth grinding grooves
4) Drumming that has exceeded the previous albums

In all the album was a labor of love and represents a product created by 4 guys that emerged from the depths of death metal with the sole intention of sharing the "missing years" with our fans.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nocturnus is back...wait, is this Nocturnus?, September 29, 2000

By 

Matthew Mclaughlin (locustville) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ethereal Tomb (Audio CD)

I am still greatly torn by this album; I wanted it to be great, I wanted it to outdo 'The Key' and 'Thresholds', I wanted Nocturnus to rise again in all their glory and prove themselves to be the masters of technical Death Metal like they were when the first two albums came out. Let's start with the vocalist - while Emo is not bad on the vox, but I am not a big fan of the gutteral vocals (Glen Benton of Deicide is the best at this). I like the raspier demonic vocals like those of MIke Browning of old Nocturnus and David Vincent of old Morbid Angel. With these deep vocals, I think Nocturnus has moved a step below their former selves, are seem almost indestinguishable from many of the lower-end DM bands - especially since the keyboards are quite limited on this album (and now Louis Panzer has quit - what next), and Nocturnus brings none of the technical terror we experienced on 'Thresholds'. Now, I am not saying I want them to do the same thing over and over again - there are still some awesome riffs and great songs on the disc, but not once did I feel the same awe as I did when I picked up 'The Key' as a kid. I was blown away by the use of acoustics on 'Search for the Trident', but many of the songs are blown by the wayside by this major track. I also miss the unity the other discs had - the way each song was like a chapter in a large story - and what of the fusion of demonology and technology, which was highly original? Where are the robotic demons and time unholy machines? I knew there was trouble when I saw they changed their logo. But I wanted it to be five stars...

Don't get me wrong - I love Nocturnus - they are one of my favorite bands of all time. But search the net or the used record shops and find the epic 'The Key' or the mind-blowing 'Thresholds'.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally, Nocturnus is Back!, June 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ethereal Tomb (Audio CD)

Nearly 8 years after releasing the sci-fi/death metal classic "Thresholds", Nocturnus re-group for another outing. I must admit that I'd always wondered what the next album after "Thresholds" would sound like. I didn't like "The Key" all that much, but I now consider "Thresholds" one of the greatest and most complex metal works ever. If you were thinking of picking "Ethereal Tomb" up with the hopes of it sounding exactly like "Thresholds", you will be disappointed. HOWEVER, if its the intense sci-fi imagery, haunting and atmospheric keyboards, and expert technical riffing that Nocturnus are legendary for, you will NOT be disappointed. Emo Mowery is the new voclist here, and, simply put is WAY better than their old vocalist(s). His voice is more powerful and he does a great job of pronouncing the words. This is a more MATURE Nocturnus, people, but they STILL SOUND LIKE NOCTURNUS...which is very important when a band takes this much time off. Sean McKenney and Mike Davis's riffs are technically top-notch as usual (see opener "Orbital Decay", and "Edge of Darkness"), but they also do a good job at creating some fairly straightforward riffs, too (see "The Killing" and "Paranormal States.")The two axegrinders are truly in the top class of their artistry. Louis Panzer's keyboards are more subtle this time, which only adds to the atmosphere. Also, their new drummer (who's name I cannot recall) adds another level of technicality that was missing before. The true highlight on the album is "Search for the Trident", which contains acoustic guitar, keyboards, sound effects, great riffing, cool time-changes, and awesome sci-fi lyrics. The only real low-point is "Apostle of Evil", which is an unmemorable tune. Please note that, like the other two Nocturnus albums, it will take a few listens for this one to sink in properly. Overall, I would recommend this album to anyone who is into aggressive metal. Given the quality of this album, I hope that Nocturnus stay aroud for years to come.