Time Signature The revisit...

Genre: doom/traditional metal

The Swedish doom act Noctum's debut was hugely retrospective, drawing virtually on every aspect of early doom and proto-metal. Now they are back with their sophomore full-length "Final Sacrifice".

The 70s sound is still a very important element of the sound on this album, but the Swedes have expanded their sound beyond mere celebration of the past. The production on this album has a much more modern sound, and, musically, they have injected a dose of 80s traditional metal into their sound - in particular, it seems that Mercyful Fate have served as somewhat of a source of inspiration in addition to the Pentagram and Black Sabbath influence that characterized the debut album. We are even treated to some Lizzy- and Maiden-styled twin lead guitars in the massive closing track 'Azoth'.

Thus, there are several uptempo passages on album, such as in 'Conflagration', 'A Burning Will', and 'Temple of the Living Dead'. This does not mean that the album is void of gloom and doom, and a track like 'The Visit' has everything that makes good traditional doom metal, and the groovy 'Ressurrected Evil' also features some old-fashioned doom metal riffage, as does 'Void of Emptiness'.

Although I liked the debut album quite a lot, I think that the new - or rather, enhanced - musical direction on "Final Sacrifice" is an improvement which shows great promise... even if it means a step in the direction away from retro doom metal. Fans of traditional doom metal and traditional heavy metal as well as hard rock in general are bound to appreciate this slab of doom rock.