Nachtmystium - Assassins

[Zephyrus]

Got my package from Century Media today, complete with a free CD sampler and Nachtmystium poster. Oh yeah, there was an album in there too.

Gave it the first listen on my stereo right when I got home, and overall I'm a bit disappointed by the new sound and style, for the most part. But that's just the first listen and without headphones.

The intro track is nothing special, while the two tracks available on their Myspace page are the stronger points of the album. The rest is mostly more psychedelic jamming, but the song "Ghosts of Grace" is so far my favorite.

Hearing on the stereo, I'd say the drumming is too high in the mix. The bass is high too but that's a good thing, since the basslines are one of the highlights.

What disappointed me the most so far was that three-part jam in the end, which is scarcely metal at all, except for a few arpeggios in the third track.

This record, so far, is going to take some growing onto in order for this Black Metal stalwart to adjust to it. I'll listen to it a couple more times tonight, with headphones, and give further thoughts.

Last word for now is that it will take miles of growing onto me before I can call this better than Instinct: Decay.


So, who else has heard it?

 

[Mort Divine]

I thought it was pretty much shit.

 

[~Neurotica]

I've got Assassins. But haven't listened to it yet.
Actually, I haven't listened to any other release of this band.
Could you tell me where should I start? Let me guess... - from the start?

 

[Mort Divine]

Instict: Decay isn't bad. It is pretty good, essentially, basic black metal with really cool tripped out guitar leads.

 

[Zephyrus]

I've got Assassins. But haven't listened to it yet.
Actually, I haven't listened to any other release of this band.
Could you tell me where should I start? Let me guess... - from the start?

Instinct: Decay and Eulogy IV are their best releases.

 

[~Neurotica]

Thanks!

 

[KMADD]

hmm i gonna see them next weekend at dudefest in indy along with Pig Destroyer.

 

[KevenZ]

I saw the full album on kerrazy last week but I just don't give a shit anymore about this band..... I like Eulogy 4 but the rest is average.

 

[MasterOLightning]

Demise is pretty enjoyable, even if it's nothing groundbreaking.

 

[Zephyrus]

OK, starting my next listen, this time with various thoughts penned down as I go:

-Atmosphere is lacking. Maybe I just loved the production on Instinct: Decay so much, I don't feel as encompassed by this new clean sound.

-Rhythm guitar is too low in the mix. Leads and bass are fulfilling their role excellently, but a proper wall of sound requires a trifecta.

-"Ghosts of Grace" is so fucking brilliant, especially at the 2:22 mark. Holy shit.

-I've gotten used to the yelling vocals, thankfully.

-"Away from the Light" could have been much shorter, but effectively sets up the next song, "Your True Enemy," which is the second most Black Metal track on the album. This could have been put on Instinct: Decay, and how much better it would be if it were produced like it were on Instinct: Decay.

-"Code Negative" is a more atmospheric track, as it plods along with leads above, bass below, and some choirs, whispers and trippy solos. This song must be great in an altered state of consciousness.

-"Omnivore" is an almost pure Black Metal track, and with different production would fit right onto Eulogy IV. I like.

-The whole "Seasick" triptych is geared solely toward psychedelic rock fans and whoever likes Opeth's Damnation album, but with a little more kick. A saxophone breaks in during the second part. All clean instruments until the third part, where we get some standard USBM arpeggios thrown into shouted anthem that marches toward the album's concluding jam session.

-Instinct: Decay is still miles ahead of this.

 

[Fury of the Storm]

I listened all the way through once so far but I found it was pretty much awesome.

 

[cookiecutter]

Hmm, I'm a little disapointed to hear this, but I'm sure I'll still really like this because the for me the psychadelic rock parts of I: D were awesome. Are there any songs that are like Worldfall (song)?

 

[Zephyrus]

Hmm, I'm a little disapointed to hear this, but I'm sure I'll still really like this because the for me the psychadelic rock parts of I: D were awesome. Are there any songs that are like Worldfall (song)?

"Code Negative" comes close, especially when the choirs come in, but the album overall is pretty different from Worldfall, though "Omnivore" has parallels with "Depravity."

 

[Alter]

I need to buy this soon.

 

[S<issors]

thanks for the review, zeph. all the negatives you pointed out actually sound pretty cool to me, as I like my bm with a healthy dose of "other shit," and I also like psychedelic rock. will check this out

 

[Zephyrus]

thanks for the review, zeph. all the negatives you pointed out actually sound pretty cool to me, as I like my bm with a healthy dose of "other shit," and I also like psychedelic rock. will check this out

I like BM with healthy doses of "other shit". But most of this record sounds like "other shit" with healthy doses of BM.

 

[S<issors]

Huh. Well, I enjoyed I: D a lot, so unless this is much worse I can't really see it being a total waste. Guess I'll see what I think after picking it up. Or ordering it, rather.

 

[Zephyrus]

Instinct: Decay is one of my favorite albums of all time. This new one is a significant decline, but still very good.

 

[Belligerent]

So far I really like Code Negative, Omnivore, and Seasick (pt.1 drowned at dusk). Its growing on me rather quickly.

 

[Zephyrus]

Yes, I gave it another listen in the car last night, and it does get better with time.