I wish I was more of a videogame guy. I’m not not, as I have multiple systems and games, but I think it’s the ADHD in me that prevents me from truly immersing myself in a campaign and seeing it through. Plus having other things going on, I’m incapable of carving out the time and using games as a means to challenge myself and expand my mind.
Serena Cherry isn’t exactly bereft of things to do as she just finished up with her long-running death metal band Svalbard and now has returned to solo effort Noctule for her second full-length “Extinguish Thy Flame.” This album focuses on the game “Elden Ring,” a game I’ve battled with since it was released and still am trying to work through, and perhaps this record will help that come to pass. Cherry’s effusive, melodic, and striking black and death metal easily can get your blood flowing, your hand grasping for some kind of primitive weapon until you power up. It’s exciting and colorful and can torch your bones.
“Welcome to Limgrave” starts with shimmering tones and guitars tracing paths in the sky, the power opening into a glorious plume, spilling into “Devour the Gods” that ravages and slashes from the start. Cherry’s growls open wounds as the pace toughens, blows land mercilessly, and a hardcore-style attack blackens eyes. Guitars spill as the leads rush, storming with swagger as fires char flesh. “Lord of Blood” starts with a great riff, bubbling to the surface, howls mangling as melodic surges makes adrenaline rise. Spirits rush as brutal vocals chew nerves, ripping and trudging, crushing to the end. “Grafted” basks in strings, and then the tempo ignites, the riffs divebombs, a mystical spirit emerges and attacks. The atmosphere thickens before the air gets colder, clean playing trickling as the synth ices. “Goddess of Rot” is ominous, Cherry’s vocals hovering, the emotion flooding and filling hearts, the moodiness thickening and blackening. Leads spill as the murk thickens, anguished cries squeeze throats, and the final moments echo into oblivion.
“Lament of the Omen King” is active when it unloads, rampaging at a dangerous clip, sounds washed out as if you’re going through a tunnel. The playing spirals as the leads torpedo, the fury gushing into tornadic pressure, screams belting before frost thickens. Screams ricochet, and the darkness swallows everything whole. “O’ death” is an interlude with keys dashing, imaginative sounds enchanting, and the calls of, “O’ death, become my blade once more,” swirling in the miasma. Fittingly, “Become My Blade Once More” follows, ripping apart and splattering, a gut-wrenching force squashing bowels, machine gun drumming pelting with cinders. The force rattles cages as screams engulf, the power spreads, and keys drip over a dramatic end. “Age of the Stars” dawns with guitars reaching across star systems, a fluid assault snarling, fiery, thrashy devastation making its impact. Cherry’s screams pulverize as black metal-style electricity ravages, and energy coats muscle with protective armor. Closer “Hallowhorn Grounds” brings colorful leads, powering shrieks, and the drums hammering a pathway bloody. The tone cools as clean guitars melt, and then the ignition jams, power cascades, and Cherry’s voice leaves brush burns, melodies crushing one final time before cresting.
“Extinguish Thy Flame” makes my lazy ass want to fire up “Elden Ring” and mount a lengthy campaign deep into the night, which I’m unlikely to do, but this record will plant that seed every time. Cherry sounds savage and fully alive here, dashing through black metal waves and climbing to the top of melodeath peaks, basking in its violent glory. This album is swords clashing, hearts pounding, and adventures sprawling, with your excitement boiling out of your eyes. This fucking rules.
For more on the band, go here: https://noctule.bandcamp.com/
To buy the album, go here: https://noctule.bandcamp.com/album/extinguish-thy-flame
Meat Mead Metal 