Nokturnal Mortum is a Kharkov band whose musicians record cool tracks in the black metal genre. Experts attributed their initial work to the “National Socialist” direction.
Today, the work of musicians is valued not only in their native country. Thanks to good content, their tracks are also adored by overseas fans of heavy music. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the team in the direction of the Ukrainian black metal scene, since it is the Nokturnal Mortum team that is considered one of its founders.
The background of the formation of the team
It all started when talented guys founded the band SUPPURATION in late December 1991. The group was led by three musicians who literally lived music - Varggoth, Munruthel and Xaarquath.
A year after the group was formed, the debut album premiered. The collection was called Ecclesiastical Blasphemy. The album was distributed by the Belgian label Shiver Records. Around the same time, the vocalist of Sataroth joined the lineup. The artists recorded a demo in this lineup.
In 1993, the team was replenished with a talented guitarist, who was remembered by fans under the creative pseudonym Wortherax. In this composition, the guys release another disc, which "passes" past the ears of music lovers. This demo was supposed to be released on one of the Russian labels. But, it turned out that in the summer the label "burned out", and with it the guys who disbanded the line-up in 1993 "burned out".
But leaving the heavy stage was not so easy. A few months later, the guys got together again to present a new project. The group was named CRYSTALINE DARKNESS.
The guys took a landmark on black metal. The team included Prince Varggoth, Karpath and Munruthel. Then they record a demo of Mi Agama Khaz Mifisto. The leaders of the Czech label View Beyond Records drew attention to the promising Kharkov group. They offered the musicians to sign a contract. This is where the band's activity ends before it even starts.
History of Nokturnal Mortum
In 1994, the musicians gathered again, but under an updated creative pseudonym. Now the guys were releasing good pieces of music like Nokturnal Mortum. In the mid-90s, Twilightfall premiered.
Evgeny Gapon (team leader) is a constant and constant member of the team. No matter how the composition changes, his vision of music and the further work of the group remain unchanged. During the creative activity, the composition of the team changed several times.
After the metal band was created, the best time in the life of each of the participants began. The guys were constantly experimenting and looking for "their" sound. Previously, the team's work is symphonic black metal and aggressive anti-Christianity. Then the musicians found themselves in the performance of folk metal with pagan themes. Today, Ukrainian ethnic motifs also sound in the band's tracks. The development and evolution of Nokturnal Mortum is a real find for fans.
In 2020, it became known that the group was ending cooperation with Jurgis, Bayrat and Yutnar. The updated roster looks like this: Varggoth, Surm, Wortherax, Karpath, Kubrakh.
Musicians never fettered themselves with language limits. Their repertoire includes musical works in their native Ukrainian, Russian and English. True, since 2014, the Russian language has come under a “ban”. The guys personally refused to sing songs in this language.
The creative path of Nokturnal Mortum
In 1996, the premiere of the demo Lunar Poetry took place. During this period, Wortherax left the lineup. His place was not "empty" for long. Two members came to replace the musician - Karpath and Saturious (second keyboard player). In the same year, an EP was recorded, consisting of two tracks.
A year later, the premiere of the full-length debut album took place. The record was called Goat Horns. On the wave of popularity, they presented another studio album and an EP.
The prestigious American label The End Records paid attention to Kharkov musicians. After lengthy negotiations, it was decided that this label would re-release all of the band's albums on CD.
At the end of the 90s, Karpath left the team. During this period of time, the artists are working on recording the disc "Infidel". In the XNUMXs, Munruthel and Saturious left the band. Istukan and Khaoth were invited as session musicians. Only in autumn Munruthel joins the composition. Fans also get to know the new member. Soon Saturious returns to the team.
In 2005, the group's discography was replenished with a fresh disc. The album was called "Worldview". The album is warmly received not only by fans, but also by music critics. It should be noted that the premiere of the English-language version of the collection soon took place.
A year later, Alzeth leaves the team. In 2007, Astargh joins the line-up. In April 2009, Odalv left the band and was replaced by Bairoth. Already in the updated composition, the musicians release a new longplay. We are talking about the disc "Voice of Steel".
Nokturnal Mortum: our days
In 2017, Kharkiv artists presented a new studio album. The album was called "Truth". Many noted that the longplay is a logical continuation of the "Voice of Steel". Interesting design, similar mythical themes - all this leads to such reflections. In this album, the musicians perfectly balanced the themes of good and evil. In support of the new studio album, the guys skated a tour.
A year later, a new member, Surm, joins the line-up. Prior to that, he took part in the recording of a new LP, as a session musician.
In 2019, the musicians released the triple vinyl Voice of Steel. In 2020, the group's concert activity is somewhat slowing down. Pandemic coronavirus infection a little interfered with the plans of the artists.
In 2021, the band visited several themed music festivals. Fans are looking forward to the concerts. Most likely, the performances will take place as early as 2022.