Band:	Nocte Obducta
Album:	Hammergeddon 666 - Die Katakomben Betritt Man Nicht Allein
Style:	Avantgarde black metal
Release date:	December 06, 2024
A review by:	F3ynman

01. Hammergeddon
02. Schorm
03. Blut, Bier, Dunkelheit
04. Faustphisto
05. Auf Wortlosen Fluren (Gemälde Derer, Die Schieden – Teil III)

“One does not enter the catacombs alone…”

As I mentioned in my review of Nocte Obducta’s album from last year, their style of black metal has been quite fluid over the last 25 years of their existence. From straightforward, raw black metal with symphonic touches to progressive and avant-garde approaches, Nocte Obducta have remained quite unpredictable with their modus operendi. 2023's Karwoche (Die Sonne Der Toten Pulsiert) saw them returning to their more linear, fast-paced style of their early days, while also infusing their sound with plenty of eerie, melancholic atmosphere.

This 2024 EP follows a similar plan, displaying both fast, fun riffs (as a title like “Hammergeddon 666” would suggest) and calm, mesmerizing ambience (fitting to the ominous subtitle “Die Katakomben Betritt Man Nicht Allein”). The two-fold title mirrors the two-fold nature of their sound.

The first four songs of the EP showcase rapid-fire energy in a short format—each song only lasting for 2 to 3 minutes. The guitars jam away in groovy fashion as the vocals belt out in soul-wrenching agony. Their avant-garde flair shows its face on “Blut, Bier, Dunkelheit” (“Blood, Beer, Darkness”), which demonstrates such catchy melodies that one could easily mistake it for a fast-paced mix of traditional heavy metal and rock ‘n’ roll. “Faustphisto”, too, shows off morbidly fun thrash metal energy betwixt their frosty black metal vibe.

On the concluding track, the band take a completely different, slower, moody approach. The song title suggests that it's a sequel to the epic song “Gemälde Derer, Die Schieden” (“paintings of those who have passed away”) from one of their early albums, Schwarzmetall - Ein Primitives Zwischenspiel (Nocte Obducta have taken a page out of Neurosis’s “Cleanse” trilogy, where the second part is only featured as a bonus track). During its 8-minute runtime, “Auf Wortlosen Fluren (Gemälde Derer, Die Schieden – Teil III)” showcases the band's ability to create entrancing, mysterious atmospheres with unsettling synth melodies. The reappearance of the main motif on the original “Gemälde Derer, Die Schieden” sends chills down my spine, as distorted, ice-cold riffs and the echo of sinister screams close the EP in brilliant fashion.

In conclusion, Hammergeddon 666 - Die Katakomben Betritt Man Nicht Allein finds Nocte Obducta returning to the style of their early days, reawakening a bit of the magic of their early releases like Schwarzmetall - Ein Primitives Zwischenspiel and Galgendämmerung - Von Nebel, Blut Und Totgeburten (which I definitely recommend for all lovers of symphonic, raw black metal). Nocte Obducta don't reinvent the black metal wheel, but they expertly demonstrate just how good this subgenre can sound. By balancing harsh ferocity with mesmerizing ambience, they create an engaging experience that demands a mere 20 minutes of your time.