DEMO REVIEW: Nocturnal Prayer – Advance On Weakened Foes

NOCTURNAL PRAYER are a relatively new band playing killer old school Black Metal with two demos thus far, both of which have been compiled into one record by Inferna Profundus Records. Set for release on April 2nd.

Ice cold guitars and hammering drums fire into a blistering assault of malevolently familiar Black Metal with screeched vocals soon ripping through the mix, offering a disturbed touch to the dark conjurations of the instruments. The piercing attack of the guitars with plentiful rhythmic groove from the bass and drums provides are really distinguished and very Scandinavian style foundation while the vocals are more akin to the Portuguese Raw Black Metal movement (most notably Black Cilice). Ferociously aggressive, bitterly melancholic and unhinged with twisted ideas punching through with violence, a vitriolic blend of destruction is set.

Disdain and anguish is poured forth into a chalice of mighty Black Metal concoctions that rip through some of the most primal yet densely layered and abrasively claustrophobic soundscapes one could hope for. These first two demos work together in a gorgeous manner that could easily be a fantastic debut album, though the decision to stick to demos is respectable of course. If you prefer Black Metal to be polished or easy to listen to, then stay away. This is morbid aggression and ritualistic ferocity presented in the most chaotic and punishing fashion of caustic hatred, truly magnificent.

While I think many Black Metal projects rely on the rawness of the music as opposed to the quality, Nocturnal Prayer have some of the most viciously bleak and mystically enchanting musicianship wrapped in the shroud of raw and medieval occultism with an extremely proficient delivery. Truly impeccable. Gritty, stunningly unpleasant and unrelentingly visceral while retaining melody, diversity and volatility. We even get some more depressive sections though these are much more loathing and foreboding than some weak self-pitying nonsense. A warped and demented record of pure malignant, introspective and spectral visions that will leave you haunted and despairing while satisfied entirely.

Everything one could want from a debut demo (or two) and more is present here, burning with the blackest flame of unimaginable musical terrors to be heard only by the truest followers of the underground Black Metal cult. -9/10