Lecherous Nocturne, Behold Almighty Doctrine

It’s been a good long while since blackened death dealers from North Carolina have graced us with their blasphemies. The Age of Miracles Has Passed was a solid effort that laid the groundwork on which the band could build. Well, build they did. The eleven songs (three instrumentals) on Lecherous Nocturne’s latest full-length effort are chock full of scorching death metal and enough technical flourishes to keep you fully entertained.

Once you get past the “Intro,” Lecherous Nocturne launch into the abrasive and technical riffing of “Ouroboros Chains.” Now featuring guitarist Chris Lollis on lead growls after the departure of former vocalist Jason Hohenstein, the band’s sound is obviously impacted by this (and not necessarily in a bad way) as well as a slightly more raw sound as compared to their last effort. This second song sets the tone for the rest nicely as the guys barrel their way head first into “Bring the Void,” and absolutely blasting and off-kilter riff attack if ever there was one. Blasting drums fill out the the layered aural destruction as the band jump and lurch from tempo to tempo throughout this song and the rest.

Let it be known, however, that the band isn’t all just full-throttle mayhem. There is a good measure of mid-paced rhythms that allow the listener a moment of respite before unleashing another torrent of machine-gun blasts. “Archeopteryx” has some decent, slower moments that don’t take away from the overall momentum and “Those Having Been Hidden Away” carries some classic riffing that has plenty of meat behind them. After the mid-album instrumental, “Judgements and Curses” erupts like a skull meeting sledgehammer — it’s one of the more vicious songs on the album.

Behold Almighty Doctrine may have a new voice to belt out the screams and belches, but the technical riffing and manic drum work remains. The overall sound of the album doesn’t quite carry the oomph that its predecessor did, but it’s renewed vigor and rawness more than make up for it. This is an album that will keep your head spinning with the number of riffs that these guys hurl about at any one time so be prepared.