Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Nominon Recremation Company: Deathgasm Records Release: 2005 Reviewer: Etiam Rating: 3.5

As metal continues to enjoy its 21st century renaissance, the genre innovations from the early 1990’s are surrounded with an atmosphere of wonder and nostalgia. Simplistic and primal death/black metal is accorded a newfound measure of respect, whether it was composed in ’94 or ’04, and members of the old guard are inspired to dust off their old demos and take up their instruments once more.

One such act is Sweden’s Nominon, whose sophomore LP comes six years after their debut and a full dozen after their formation back in 1993. Entitled ‘Recremation’, it is as persuasive a time capsule as one is likely to find this side of the millennium, replete with crudely sketched black and white cover art, a hoary, nearly illegible logo, and more necromantic themes than you could shake a rosary at.

As if that weren’t enough of a tip-off, opener ‘Submit To Evil’ charges out of the gate with a classic Swedish rumble and a wailing (and appropriately tinny) guitar that leads into Daniel Garptoft’s filthy growls. Admittedly, from those first seconds it is clear that ‘Recremation’ isn’t going to break new ground (unless it’s to dig up a grave), but the entire album has so much pizzazz and snap that it’s impossible not to enjoy.

Nominon has weathered a host of members over its many years, but their co-founding guitarist Juha Sulasalmi has remained all the while, keeping the band’s individual style consistent. While he does lean heavily on the Swedish tradition of rollicking, gritty death metal (think Dismember in particular), ‘Recremation’ features clever songwriting turns that make it far more than just an homage and shows this group’s veteran stripes.

Nominon’s greatest strength is how seamlessly they have tied the authenticity of their long experience with strong and diverse modern songwriting. Its melodies are strong, the riffs are both catchy and aggressive, the tempos fairly diverse, and the compositions overall are all quick-hitting and taut. As a result, ‘Recremation’ is a success all the way through. And, since its 2005 release, the band have already come out with a similarly acclaimed follow-up, ‘Terra Necrosis’. In sum, for a band so obsessed with themes of death, Nominon are sure showing a lot of life.