Nocturnal Depression - Spleen Black Metal (Album Review)

Tracklist:

1. Elégie                      

2. L'isolement             

3. Acédie                    

4. Méditation grisâtre              

5. Un immense désespoir        

6. Remords posthume             

7. Spleen Black Metal

Originally released back in May of this year, this is the seventh, and most recent album from the French depressive black metal project Nocturnal Depression, helmed by “Lord Lokhraed” (Grim Landscape, Aghone). Since being formed in 2004 the band has been extremely active and have put out at least one release of one kind or another almost every year since their inception.

As a fairly long-time fan of the band I was very much surprised to find that this album had escaped my dragnet, thus I am only coming to it now.

Nocturnal Depression’s full lengths have never failed to impress me and this release is no exception. Everything from the masterful and atmospheric guitar work, to the occasional use of classical instruments such as a violin and a cello and of course the incredibly powerful and heartrending vocals of Lord Lokhraed give this album an incredibly emotionally desolate feel. It isn’t simply grim and almost forcefully depressive as some DSBM and depressive black metal projects are, its darkness comes very naturally and feels very organic.

For fans of depressive black metal this is must, and fans of Nocturnal Depression will not be disappointed at all, this is a stunning album and one I encourage all of you to check out.  

Buy the album here