Noctis
For Future's Past
Prime Cuts


'For Future's Past' is the debut EP from young Western Australian metal band Noctis. Their melodic and atmospheric death metal is heavily influenced by the likes of Opeth and Katatonia, and while there is a long way to go before Noctis reach those lofty heights, 'For Future's Past' certainly shows some potential.

The almost obligatory pseudo-classical instrumental intro Time sets the scene before two excellent songs. With alternating death and clean vocals and heavy atmospherics, Remembrance Of Death recalls Opeth circa 'Blackwater Park'. The mournful Of Emptiness certainly shows the Katatonia influence, but also enters the progressive territory of Porcupine Tree's more recent albums.

Elsewhere Nostalgia is a mellow and restrained instrumental while the closing track The Meaning Dies Within, is a dense slow paced dirge. The sprawling Eternity's Worth is the only real flat point. By trying to cram too many ideas into the one song it tends to meander and ultimately falls flat.

Musically the band appear to be very solid, and Sam Terlick proves to be a most capable singer with both clean and death styles. Produced by the band themselves, Noctis have succeeded in creating a dark, foreboding mood and their songwriting shows great potential. Their influences are readily apparent and hopefully they will continue to develop their own individual identity and sound to avoid becoming derivative. This is, however, a good and very encouraging debut and further proof of the quality and depth of homegrown metal talent in this country.

James McKenzie