Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Lecherous Nocturne - Adoration of the Blade - 2006 - Deepsend

Track Listing1. Kampagne 2. Release in Flame 3. The Divine Wind 4. Adoration of the Blade 5. Singe Este Viata 6. Ritual Cacophony 7. Phalluscidal 8. Whorrified

Although first impressions may not entirely determine one’s opinion of a band, they are undoubtedly difficult to overcome. This is a fact Lecherous Nocturne were certainly aware of when they designated the firebrand ‘Kampagne’ as the opener of their debut full-length, ‘Adoration of the Blade’. Any genre predictions based on their campy moniker, washed-out album art, and the citing of Emperor and Marduk as inspiration on their promo sheet are instantly shattered. ‘Adoration of the Blade’ is an extreme release, by all means, but its colors are far more bloody and gorespattered than they are inky black.

Touted as a side project of Dallas Toler Wade from Nile (who was, consequently, merely a session drummer for this release and not a permanent band member), Lecherous Nocturne do exhibit some of Nile’s frenetic riffing and drum patterns. However, another energy here drives them beyond the standard template of Brutal Death. While those references to Emperor and Marduk on the press sheet may have been initially misleading, there is indeed an atmosphere of icy cold (a la Emperor) and bloodthirsty machine-gunning (a la Marduk). Fortunately, Lecherous Nocturne’s songwriting is not quite as monotonous as Marduk’s—albeit neither as momentous as Emperor’s—so the listener does not become conditioned to their relentless hostility as quickly and can enjoy more than the first two minutes of the album.

This is not to say the entirety of ‘Adoration of the Blade’ is an edge-of-your-seat experience, as it does lose its cutting edge about halfway through. It should be noted, though, this is not to speak poorly of Lecherous Nocturne—this unfortunate blurring effect happens to the very best, Origin, Hate Eternal, Gorgasm, et al.

That does not excuse them the duration of this supposed ‘full-length’, though: ‘Adoration of the Blade’ clocks in at only 23:43. Grindcore would be another story, and I for one don’t want or need it to be any longer, but this release is of EP length and no more; to call it otherwise is simply deceitful. As a full-length, and at a full-length’s price, this is less than a bargain; as an EP for 2/3’s the price, it could be worth a try.



--Etiam 04.24.07