NOCTURN — Estranged Dimensions (review)

NOCTURN — Estranged Dimensions album cover Album · 1991 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Estranged Dimensions" is the debut full-length studio album by Dutch death/thrash metal act Nocturn. The album was released through Old World Records in May 1991. Nocturn formed in 1989 and was a relatively short-lived act, releasing the 1989 "Shades of Insanity" single and this debut album before disbanding.

Stylistically the material on "Estranged Dimensions" continue the aggressive and powerful sounding death/thrash metal style of the two tracks featured on the "Shades of Insanity" (1989) single. The album title track which opens the 8 track, 52:51 minutes long album, was also featured on the single, but has been re-recorded here. The original CD version of the album features two bonus tracks titled "Inheritance Of The..." and "Traveling Beyond". The latter is a re-recording of the B-side track from the 1989 single. The album is loaded with sharp and brutal thrash metal riffs, well played leads and harmonies, and a caustic sounding snarling vocalist. Artists like Demolition Hammer, Merciless, and fellow countrymen Dead Head are valid references (there is a Kreator influence here too), and it´s fans of of late 80s/early 90s death/thrash who are likely to find this an enjoyable listen.

Nocturn are a well playing unit and lead vocalist Boudewijn Bruggeman has the perfect "rusty nails" voice and raw snarling/rabid dog delivery for this type of music. It´s not the most varied material and the tracks do sound a bit the same, but it´s not a huge issue and there is enough variation within the tracks to keep the listener entertained. The fast-paced thrash metal riffs and rhythms are often complimented by morbid sounding harmonies and guitar solos, and the pace are also often lowered and as a result the music becomes more heavy. So parts of the tracks can at times actually be very heavy (even doomy).

In many ways "Estranged Dimensions" is the epitome of late 80s/early 90s death/thrash. The right brutal aggression is here, the technical skills to pull it off are here in abundance, and the songwriting is solid. Unfurtunately the overall impression of the album is dragged down by the rather abysmal sound production, which is definitely not up to par with the best contemporary releases. It´s just a step up from sounding like a demo and I can only imagine how much stronger the album would have been with a sharper and more powerful sounding production. Sound production issues aside, "Estranged Dimensions" is still a strong release in the genre and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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