UMUR
"Nookleptia" is an EP/mini-album release by Finnish death metal act Lubricant. The EP was released through Morbid Records in 1993. It follows the release of the rather brilliant November 1991 "Swallow The Symmetric Swab" demo. Unfortunately "Nookleptia" ended up being Lubricant´s last release in their original run as they disbanded in 1994. The material from the EP appears on the "Swallow This" compilation album (Svart Records, March 2017).
The material on the six track, 21:45 minutes long EP continues the Carcass influenced death metal style of "Swallow The Symmetric Swab" demo, but adds even more groove and experimental ideas to the mix. This is not groove metal or death´n´roll (even though quite a few parts point in that direction), but rather a pretty experimental and eclectic sounding death metal release. Lubricant obviously don´t care one bit for conventions and they do exactly what they feel like doing. That makes for a very interesting but sometimes also frustrating listen. When the band go from a groovy death´n´roll part directly into a deathgrinding Carcass influenced part it sometimes feels a bit awkward. Other times it works pretty well and it´s all arguably delivered with both great skill, energy, and charm. There´s a gleam in the eye here, which you won´t find on many death metal releases.
"Nookleptia" is relatively well produced, although I could have wished for a more brutal sounding production, but it´s still a well sounding and detailed production job. Upon conclusion Lubricant has released an experimental and intriguing death metal release, but I´m sure it´s a bit of an aquired taste, and those who want their death metal straight forward and not featuring too many oddball experimental moments will probably find this one a hard listen. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.