NOCTURNUS ETHEREAL TOMB

This release more than met my expectations. It arrived in excellent condition with absolutely no defects. Also,it arrived several days earlier than the expected arrival date.I am completely satisfied with my purchase.

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/

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 spots2) 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 songs2) Thoughtful leads strategicaly placed in the music3) Some great hybrid songs (Search for the Trident) and some over all ball busting, teeth grinding grooves4) Drumming that has exceeded the previous albumsIn 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 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.

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'.