Album Review: Noctambulist – The Barren Form (Willowtip Records)

Blackened Death Metal quartet Noctambulist have signed to Willowtip Records and will release their sophomore album The Barren Form July 2nd, 2021 on CD, vinyl, cassette, and digital formats.

The band released the following statement concerning the new album:

The Barren Form is a relentless and unforgiving exhibition of misery and despair. The technicality and weight of the prior album, Atmospheres of Desolation, remain persistent on this subsequent release. But, through an elevated form of songwriting and introspective lyrical content, “The Barren Form” creates a more suffocating and bleak aura. Each track embodies a manifestation of depression, grief, anxiety, and fear – a fitting theme for present day. The intent of the album is to unsettle and consume the listener.

Misery and despair… you’ll feel it from the icy chill that emanates from the introduction of Exordium. It conjures up images of sounds emerging from a deep and dark pit. Where the blackness looks to swallow you whole and you wonder if that wind is the breath of some ancient being.

You won’t have long to wait to find out as a rush of blistering ferocity comes screaming and Noctambulist have arrived. Depletion has the unit erupting with startling savagery, their style of blackened death metal leaning way towards the harsher and heavier side of things. It is relentless and unforgiving for over 8 minutes.

If you thought that was extreme, well, hold on to your arses as Infinitesimal is over 11 minutes and has Noctambulist moving at a pace that’s extremely fucking intense. The slight moments that they take their foot of the gas doesn’t change what is a track that leaves the mind dribbling out of the ears. The last few minutes might just be an extended outro but it’s dripping in evil vibes.

It should then comes as no surprise that Engulfed and Contrivance deal out as much damage as anything heard so far and then some. The former pushes the limits of the imagination when it comes to blackened death and the latter just out and out rages. These two almost make the finale of Dissolution seem ordinary by comparison, even if it is not.

There’s nothing ordinary about a ferocious finale, there’s nothing ordinary about Noctambulist’s style of blackened death and there is nothing ordinary about The Barren Form.

Noctambulist – The Barren Form Full Track Listing:

1. Exordium
2. Depletion
3. Infinitesimal
4. Engulfed
5. Contrivance
6. Dissolution

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Willowtip Records