𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…
August 1, 1990 — Nocturnus released their first full-length studio album, The Key via Combat Records & Earache Records. (Apple Music or Spotify)
Background:
In 1989, thanks in large part to Mike Davis's friendship with Morbid Angel guitarist Trey Azagthoth, the band signed to Earache Records.
The band recorded their debut album, The Key with Tom Morris at Morrisound Recording. The album, filled with a unique occult-meets-sci-fi concept (a blend of Browning and Davis's influences, respectively), virtuoso guitar pyrotechnics and space-age-ish keyboards, managed to become a Death Metal hit, spawning tracks such as Standing In Blood and BC/AD (Before Christ/After Death). It has gone on to sell 70,000 copies worldwide. It also featured backing vocals by former Mantas/Death and Massacre vocalist Kam Lee.
During the recording of The Key, Jeff Estes began developing a major drinking problem that negatively affected his bass playing skills, and Mike Davis ended up playing much of the bass on the album. Estes was fired shortly after and was replaced by Jim O'Sullivan. With O'Sullivan on board, the band toured for The Key in 1991 in support of Bolt Thrower, and then embarked on the Grindcrusher Tour with Morbid Angel, Napalm Death, and Godflesh. O'Sullivan ended up not working out and he was fired as soon as the band's tours were over.
Concept:
The Key is a conceptual record centered on an occult (the influence of drummer/vocalist Mike Browning, as previously noted) meets sci-fi (influenced by guitarist Mike Davis) theme. The story follows a cyborg who travels back in time to the year 0 B.C. to assassinate Jesus Christ which leads to the destruction of Christianity (highlighted by the controversial track Destroying the Manger) and the creation of a modern empire.
In addition to their unusual lyrical content, the band employed the use of keyboards which was virtually unheard of at the time in the broader genre of Death Metal. The keyboards were generally used for song intros and more atmospheric purposes, however, most of the album was based upon a more conventional guitar and drums approach, with Kam Lee of Massacre providing backing vocals.
Due to the increased complexity and experimentation, some have considered the release to be the first Progressive Death Metal album.
Browning has claimed that he has not seen any royalties from either this album or its follow up since he was kicked out of the band, blaming both, former band members and Earache Records.
Notice: Any reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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