ALBUM REVIEW: Extinguish Thy Flame – Noctule
Having called time on SVALBARD last month on stage at ArcTanGent, bringing a decorated 15 year to a close, for Serena Cherry and her NOCTULE project, Extinguish Thy Flame doesn’t just represent her sophomore solo outing, it in fact, is a reflection of a big new chapter. Originally conceived in the days of lockdown as a love letter to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, 2021’s WretchedAbyss was a strong introduction to the project. Five years later, sophomore outing Extinguish Thy Flame does in fact everything opposite to what its title may suggest, NOCTULE‘s flame is burning like an inferno.
Where 2021’s debut saw Cherry channel the frozen tundra and mountain peaks of Tamriel’s most northern territory into a blistering display of black metal, Extinguish Thy Flame sees NOCTULE embrace the beautiful, yet brutally punishing world of Elden Ring and the Lands Between. With each song on the record’s ten track (bar the customary introductory Welcome to Limgrave) representing one of the game’s many varying, fear-inducing, and controller-throwing bosses, this allows for the album’s central theme to twist and turn in tandem with the music itself. The result is simply superb.
Largely, this is the result of a clever fusion of melodeath and black metal, in a sound that feels strangely familiar but remains unique enough to stand confident in its own identity. Devour The Gods flies out the traps in a cacophony of blastbeats and icy riffing and we get that first flash of melodeath influence in the way in which the guitars harmonise while Lord Of Blood is a symphonic black metal masterclass, with enough soaring orchestration to go toe to toe with the Scandinavian greats. In other places though, the melodeath influence is far more prominent. Age Of The Stars concludes with some truly triumphant guitar harmonies, album closer Hallowhorn Grounds features a really clever use of melody helps covertly introduce a feeling of positivity that really works a treat, and Grafted boasts enough melodeath-drenched riffing that would make INSOMNIUM blush. Far from just shoe-horning a genre in for the sake of it, there’s a real sense of authenticity in the compositions, reenforcing its staying power.
Elsewhere, Lament of The Omen King boasts thundering percussion that intertwines with subtle flashes of that aforementioned melodeath-inspired twin guitar play that really compliment Cherry‘s larynx-shredding shrieks whereas the piano-led instrumental of O’ death is a fitting bridge between Become My Blade Once More. A track that effectively channels that menacing battle cry of Maliketh as a wave of relentless riffing hits time and time again, leaving you breathless.
With Extinguish Thy Flame, Cherry presents a body of work that is not just a love letter to the video game that saved her life, it’s a record that boldly and confidently reflects the growth of NOCTULE. The fusion of melodeath and black metal works a treat, and this intertwining of Cherry‘s favourite genres, just like the wider subject material, lies at the album’s beating heart. The result is a highly enjoyable listen and enough hooks to keep you coming back for more, just without the risk of putting your controller through your TV…
Rating: 9/10
Extinguish Thy Flame is out now via self-release.
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