Noctuary (Band)
Encyclopedia
Noctuary was an American
black metal
band formed in 1995 out of the ashes of small time death-metal band Summoned. They are noted for being one of the premier new wave of American black metal bands in the mid to late 1990s.
and underground grindcore legends Despise You, to record on the album. The result was "...For Salvation", a full-length record that garnered worldwide metal-press raves, and pushed the band to the forefront of the US Black Metal scene. Feature articles in notable publications such as ""Metal Maniacs"" and others followed, as did well-received showcase performances at national festivals such as the famed Milwaukee Metalfest.
After the publicity for "...For Salvation", the band went through a small lineup change as Guitarist Christopher Price joined the band. Noctuary focused on writing and recording their new album "When Fires Breed Blood", released on Lost Disciple in 2000. Once again the international metal press bathed the album in rave reviews, praising the album for its intricate classical and jazz inspired guitar harmonies and use of modernist classical piano interludes, as well as the introduction of some clean vocals that were compared to those of bands like Ulver. Additionally, Iron Maiden influences appeared, as did influences from bands like Rotting Christ and Megadeth.
The band continued to play live, undergoing yet another lineup change as bassist Steven Nelson (Winterthrall, Paradigm) and guitarist Jeffrey Peters entered the fold. The band toured and recorded demos, looking for a new record deal after the demise of Lost Disciple Records. Members of the band toured with various other outfits as session musicians during this period, participating in tours with outfits such as Welcome to Your Life, Krieg
and Nachtmystium
, among others. In the period between 2001 and 2007, Noctuary played main-stage performances at several of the largest metal festivals in the US, most notably the Massachusetts Metal and Hardcore Festival in 2001, 2003 and 2005. In 2005 the bands was featured in the documentary Dark Planet: Visions of America. A lengthy interview was included as was music from the band.
In 2006 the band found a home at Los Angeles based indie label Quadrivium Records, where they recorded and release 2006's "Recollection". At this point, however, interest in the band had faded due to extended time between releases, and the band split up in late 2007. Drummer Robert Alaniz continued with bands Winterthrall, Despise You and a rumored reformation of thrash metal legends Evil Dead, and has toured with underground thrash metal legends Abattoir. Additionally he is a member of Anger as Art, a thrash metal band featuring members of Abattoir. Steven Nelson has continued to perform and record with his bands Winterthrall and Destroy Judas.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
band formed in 1995 out of the ashes of small time death-metal band Summoned. They are noted for being one of the premier new wave of American black metal bands in the mid to late 1990s.
History
Noctuary was formed after the dissolution of death metal band Summoned, in order for singer Joseph Van Fossen and guitarist Darin Wynn to focus on their burgeoning interest in the worldwide Black Metal movement. A demo, entitled "Where All Agony Prevails" was self-financed and released in 1996, gaining interest in underground black metal circles worldwide. The demo led to a deal with independent metal label Lost Disciple, based out of Massachusetts. The band recruited session drummer (and later full-time member) Robert Alaniz, a former member of legendary 80's thrash outfit EvildeadEvildead
Evildead is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1987. The band was originally composed of members of two former bands, Agent Steel and Abattoir, including guitarist Juan Garcia, who is their only permanent member member...
and underground grindcore legends Despise You, to record on the album. The result was "...For Salvation", a full-length record that garnered worldwide metal-press raves, and pushed the band to the forefront of the US Black Metal scene. Feature articles in notable publications such as ""Metal Maniacs"" and others followed, as did well-received showcase performances at national festivals such as the famed Milwaukee Metalfest.
After the publicity for "...For Salvation", the band went through a small lineup change as Guitarist Christopher Price joined the band. Noctuary focused on writing and recording their new album "When Fires Breed Blood", released on Lost Disciple in 2000. Once again the international metal press bathed the album in rave reviews, praising the album for its intricate classical and jazz inspired guitar harmonies and use of modernist classical piano interludes, as well as the introduction of some clean vocals that were compared to those of bands like Ulver. Additionally, Iron Maiden influences appeared, as did influences from bands like Rotting Christ and Megadeth.
The band continued to play live, undergoing yet another lineup change as bassist Steven Nelson (Winterthrall, Paradigm) and guitarist Jeffrey Peters entered the fold. The band toured and recorded demos, looking for a new record deal after the demise of Lost Disciple Records. Members of the band toured with various other outfits as session musicians during this period, participating in tours with outfits such as Welcome to Your Life, Krieg
Krieg
Krieg is a black metal band from Somers Point, New Jersey in the United States of America. They play a low-fi, "raw" style, drawing influence from the Darkthrone-esque style of black metal and did not use synthesizers or folk instruments, in their recordings. The band formed in 1995, initially as...
and Nachtmystium
Nachtmystium
Nachtmystium is an American psychedelic black metal band formed by Blake Judd, formerly known as Azentrius, and Pat McCormick. The band's name is derived from the German word Nacht meaning "night", and the made-up term mystium which resembles the Latin adjective mysticum...
, among others. In the period between 2001 and 2007, Noctuary played main-stage performances at several of the largest metal festivals in the US, most notably the Massachusetts Metal and Hardcore Festival in 2001, 2003 and 2005. In 2005 the bands was featured in the documentary Dark Planet: Visions of America. A lengthy interview was included as was music from the band.
In 2006 the band found a home at Los Angeles based indie label Quadrivium Records, where they recorded and release 2006's "Recollection". At this point, however, interest in the band had faded due to extended time between releases, and the band split up in late 2007. Drummer Robert Alaniz continued with bands Winterthrall, Despise You and a rumored reformation of thrash metal legends Evil Dead, and has toured with underground thrash metal legends Abattoir. Additionally he is a member of Anger as Art, a thrash metal band featuring members of Abattoir. Steven Nelson has continued to perform and record with his bands Winterthrall and Destroy Judas.
Last known members
- Joseph Van Fossen - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
/vocals (1995–2007) - Jeffrey Peters - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(2002–2007) - Steven Nelson - bassBassistA bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
(1999–2007) - Robert Alaniz - drumsDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
(1998–2007)
Past members
- Christopher Price - guitarGuitaristA guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
(1999–2002) - Darin Wynn - guitarGuitaristA guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
(1995–1998) - Sean Ball - bass guitarBassistA bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
(1995–1997)
Full length
- ...For Salvation
1998
Lost Disciple - When Fires Breed Blood]
2000
Lost Disciple - Recollection
2006
QuadriviumQuadriviumThe quadrivium comprised the four subjects, or arts, taught in medieval universities, after teaching the trivium. The word is Latin, meaning "the four ways" , and its use for the 4 subjects has been attributed to Boethius or Cassiodorus in the 6th century...
Demos, singles, and DVDs
- Where All Agony Prevails (1996) (demo)
- Demo 2004 (2004) (demo)
- Demo 2005 (2005) (demo)
Compilations
- Dead Forever: A Tribute to Motorhead- Song: Iron Fist (1999) (Dwell Records)
- Show No Mercy: A Tribute to WASP- Song: Hellion (2001) (Dwell Records)