The US black and extreme metal scene is becoming more and more a force to be reckoned with. A fine example is Noctuary’s latest release When Fires Breed Blood. The highly melodic black metal compositions reveal a range of different influences. Most obvious are Scandinavian ones and especially the guitar harmonies which bear certain similarities with Swedish cult black/death act Dawn. But on the other hand the ghosts of thrash and heavy metal are also at work here. The first notes of the opening track “Clouds Donning the Black Sky’ might very well mislead the unsuspecting listener.

But also the final lead in “..And Hate Embraced This Night” as well as the opening lead in “Vengeance before Valor” are good examples of this thrash metal influence. And these various approaches are just what makes this album rise above mediocrity. So if you’re into blackmetal but do not fear the melodic touch or thrashy side give Noctuary’s album a shot and you just might find out that there is a black, icy world outside of Scandinavia, lurking in the darkness and waiting to be discovered.