AFTER DEATH — Retronomicon (review)

Boxset / Compilation · 2007 · Death Metal

3/5 · 2023-07-04
UMUR

"Retronomicon" is a compilation release by US, Florida based death metal act After Death. The compilation was released through Iron Pegasus in 2007. After lead vocalist/drummer Mike Browning was fired from Nocturnus in the early 90s (a band he co-founded in 1987 after leaving Morbid Angel), he reunited with two other Nocturnus co-founders Richard Bateman (bass) and Gino Marino (guitars) in 1999, and founded Nocturnus A.D. (adding second guitarist Mike Walkowski to complete the lineup). To prevent being associated with Nocturnus (who were still active at that point), it was decided to change the band name from Nocturnus A.D. to After Death. After Death released four demos between 2000 and 2006, and the material from the four demos are compiled on "Retronomicon". After Death never got around to releasing a full-length studio album and as they changed their name back to Nocturnus A.D. in 2013 (and released the "Paradox" album in 2019), "Retronomicon" is the best chance you have to listen to the material recorded under the After Death monicker.

"Retronomicon" is quite the lengthy release featuring 14 tracks and a total playing time of 74:32, so there is definitely enough quantity for the money. The tracklist is in reverse chronological order, which means the tracks from the 2006 "Secret Lords of the Star Chamber Below" demo are placed first on the tracklist while the tracks from the first demo (which is sometimes referred to as the "Vibrations" EP) from 2002 are placed last. While there isn´t much difference in quality (or sound quality) between the tracks from the four releases, the later tracks are a little more interesting and focused. The sound production on the material from "Secret Lords of the Star Chamber Below (2006)" is also marginally better than the sound productions on the earlier demos. It´s details though and "Retronomicon" is overall a very consistent release.

I wish I could say it´s a consistently high quality release, but the truth is "Retronomicon" is more in decent quality territory. The sound production is in the better end of demo sound quality, but lacks the last professional touch, the performances are generally strong enough, but I will probably never be a fan of Browning´s stiff and uncreative drumming, or his throaty raw vocals, which are often delivered in staccato style which follows the drum patterns. The vocals are closer to raw thrash metal vocals than they are to death metal growling, but a few times during the playing time Browning sings more straight death metal vocals, and it actually works pretty well.

Stylistically there are very few surprises if you are familiar with the synth laden old school death metal of the first two Nocturnus albums. After Death pretty much continue that style. Occult lyrics, futuristic synths, and loads of blistering guitar leads on top of an old school US death metal style. It sounds right out of 1989/1990 and it´s actually amazing how little has changed in all those years. Authenticity if often a strength in death metal, but it can also be a weakness, and in this case just a little development of sound could have made a positive difference. After Death unfortunately have a tendency to sound like a stagnated and lesser version of Nocturnus. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.