Customer Reviews

Ethereal Tomb

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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'.

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.

I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone could this album anything less than 5 stars. The drumming on this album is very very awesome, insanely good. The vocals are extremely well done: heavy "singing" but you can understand what he is saying. He has decent range too, for a death metal singer. The guitars are out of the world. Whether it's a a crushing riff, a headbanging groove, or lead guitar, the album has guitar gods written all over it. Speaking of lead guitar, the leads on this album are perfectly placed within the songs. Most bands can't do solos worth a doo doo. you are listening to a song then for no reason, a emotionless guitar solo comes out of no where and cuts the song into pieces. This is not the case here. The solos are well placed, go with the songs, and never try to over do themselves or the songs in general.

The keyboards are also good though I wish they were louder, they are one of the best parts on the band. Also, it must be said that the bass is rockin' as well.

A death metal classic. Every song is good. If you like death metal, or this band, just go ahead and click the order button.

Let me start out by saying, im mostly a black metal guy, not into too much death metal. These guys have that unmistakable florida death sound, much like death, and some early morbid angel, but with KEYS!!. Yes thats right synths, this may be my favorite aspect of this album, they add a whole new dimension to the madness. This album is mostly slow-midtempo songs, and its blended well. I love the guitar work, and the drums and vocals are great too. Unlike most mind numbing death metal (aka noise) this album is full of great songs, written well from start to finish. One of the best death metal albums ive ever picked up \m/

This is a definite change..but it's not a bad one...they toned it down a bit....but the guitars and drums still rocks....speedy in parts but slower than usual in others......Nocturnus has been out for awhile and I guess with all the new band memebers they needed a sound change as well, and this is just that....but it isn't a bad change...the new new lyricist sounds a little more gutteral than the last guy....but it still is worth your time and money....if you like Nocturnus or metal in particular this may be a wise choice..it's not as heavy as early Nocturnus..but still rocks in it's own rights. Check it out it isn't bad at all...but fails to live up to Key and Thresholds.

What is the recipe for a successful comeback album? It is quite simply to re-evaluate your strengths & weaknesses, learn from past errors and express the way you feel now, rather than how you felt…say 7 years ago? This leads us to the return of Nocturnus, a band that was once both praised and simultaneously criticized for utilizing keyboards in a Death Metal setting. Well, after a seven year hiatus of soul-searching and observation, the band has decided once again to grace (or disgrace, depending on your outlook) us with a third album. Major differences are obviously a new lineup, excepting the guitarists (Mike Davis and Sean McNenney) and keyboardist (Louis Panzer), the re-evaluation of their gimmick, and all around musical output. Song-wise, the band has chosen to use the expression of groove-based riffing within near-progressive structures, which relates the band’s direction to fellow Floridians DEATH. But you wanted to know about the keyboards, right? Rather than using the keys as a lead instrument following the guitar lines, Louis Panzer has decided to utilize the PVC ivories in their intended fashion, as environmental enhancement, thus giving each track both the Sci-Fi element that has become a trademark of Nocturnus’ sound as well as an eerie, arcane feeling that makes one’s skin crawl. After completing this puzzle of sound and energy, the Ethereal Tomb creates a subliminal theme that through the widespread reliance on technology, Man’s salvation will ultimately be his downfall. Through extensive listening, you can almost envision the future of Man, be it resulting in The Matrix, Maximum Overdrive, The Terminator or even Planet Of The Apes. Beware, for you, too may find yourself trapped within the Ethereal Tomb!...

I like this album a lot, even though it doesn't match the classic that "Thresholds" is, and that's the only reason why I can't give it five stars. The riffs are still very technical, and the keyboards present in every song, so Nocturnus definatly didn't sell out. What is different is the vocalist, who sounds significantly more death metal than their last vocalist, and also the fact that the songs seem shorter and less complex.