Noctem continues its ascent.
Since 2001 in Spain, the band has been spreading chaos and blasphemy in its path. In 2022, Beleth (vocals, Obscure), Varu (bass), Voor (drums, Rebel Souls), Moss (guitar, ex-Scarab) and Tobal (guitar, ex-[In Mute]) announce the release of Credo Certe Ne Cras, their sixth album, on MNRK Heavy.
I Am Alpha, an as dark as raw and visceral track, begins this album by sinking us into the most dissonant and abysmal tones of a mix between Black and Death Metal, letting rage answer to piercing melodies and raw vocals. Aggressive sound also reveals heady tones, just like Sovereign Providence which lets pure speed give the riffs a bloody taste. The band develops again suffocating tones coupled with much more aggressive parts, while Sanctum of Anguish allows us a part of mystery, accompanied by misty female vocals which will give way to pure rage. The disturbing melodies drive us to Credo Certe Ne Cras, the eponymous title and pessimistic Latin locution which will successively reveal raw rage, melancholy and oppressive darkness, then Homily Punishment will return to more warlike tonalities which also leave a place of honor to this unchained singing. The disturbing whispers are also part of the sound which becomes more aggressive and Old School with The Pale Moon Rite and its dissonant harmonics which remind us without any difficulty of the Norwegian scene, full of soaring ambiences and unleashed blast. The Tolling of the Nine Bells develops a much heavier and haunting sound coupled with devastating vocal parts, but the band also plans a softer final for Chalice of Turpitude to return to the most raw and aggressive sounds while skillfully mixing them with heady melodies. Ceremonial Miasma moves to a very high tempo to give the dark riffs a bloody and massive taste and then it gives way to We Are Omega, the first track chosen by the band to lift the veil on this album, which mixes their most raw influences with dissonant melodies and powerful vocals to close this chapter.
As long as I’ve known them, Noctem never disappointed me. Credo Certe Ne Cras is an album which goes back to the roots of Black Metal without forgetting their Death Metal influences and their stagecraft, which allows them to continue their rise on the scene.
85/100