Soundtrack for a Suicide - Opus II

'Soundtrack for a Suicide' does what it says on the tin. Imagine you were going to commit suicide, pleasant, I know. Well, this would be the soundtrack to give you the courage to go through with it and it's incredibly fitting to the topic. It typifies the new breed of depressive black metal and has become a primary force behind the genres drive into a more suicidal feel than ever before. Be prepared to feel every bit of depression you have ever felt all at once, as Nocturnal Depression have delivered an astonishing look into affliction and agony through the eyes of the tormented.


'Soundtrack for a Suicide' is as grim as they come. It's a full-length that means business and takes no pleasure in delivering us from good to evil. It's a process in reverse, which makes it an incredible journey. Although spirituality may not be a major influence on Nocturnal Depression's music, there is certainly a spiritual feel to 'Soundtrack for a Suicide'. Obviously, spirituality doesn't have to relate to Christianity or any other the 'do good by others' religions.


This certainly isn't the case when it comes to Nocturnal Depression. Their motive is a somewhat more twisted and distorted version of spirituality. It's ethereal and wraps itself in an airy dimension full of horrid beasts and demons. Nocturnal Depression are the Plague in human form. Their sound sweeps across the land, destroying what lays in it's path. Nature will succumb to the superior force that 'Soundtrack for a Suicide' is. It's an emotionally charged ride into the unknown. Stand well back and observe.


'Soundtrack for a Suicide' is minimalistic. Nocturnal Depression use simplistic means to create highly complex atmospheres. This means atmospheres are doused with sin and set alight into flames, these fires that burn represent the flames of hatred coursing through the atmosphere of Nocturnal Depression's music. Whether that be through the bleak style of production, or through the repetitive riffs. Their message of future demise is slowly, but surely understood.


Depression will consume us all at one stage or another, and when it does, 'Soundtrack for a Suicide' will be there, over your shoulder, to guide you through the pain and into the pits of hell. The gates which guard this hell will be torn down by the uncompromising vocals of Lord Lokhraed. They're indecipherable, but effective in dampening any light that might be seen at the end of tunnel. They sound out over the music like a foghorn. This indicates to the masses that this hell Nocturnal Depression have descended from likes pain and suffering. It enjoys it and so should you.


'Soundtrack for a Suicide' gives a new meaning to depression. It's ambience and melodic electric acoustics breed confidence from the audience. The more we're subjected to these entrancing melodies of melancholy, the better. The echoes of the vocals show a hallow side to Nocturnal Depression. At one stage you can hear the vocals shout with despair, "Join me with suicide". The vocals are superlatively situated in the right place, at the right time. They bring on the emotive side to Nocturnal Depression like nothing else. The distorted dirges that the guitars produce are second best, but they're still good. They don't sound devoid of emotion, and aren't typical of the genre whatsoever.


They take pride in their twisted appearance and help, along with the percussion side of things, to drive the music on to a new level. The percussion element of the music is perhaps where Nocturnal Depression begin to falter. Slightly laboured patterns and sunken sound don't inspire. The production can tend to become annoying. It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it isn't that bad either. In essence, it does suit Nocturnal Depression's emotive qualities, but it gives the vocals far too much leniency. Giving the vocals far too much room to manipulate the music won't go down well. it's restrictive. Other than a few minor details, 'Soundtrack for a Suicide' is solid and very strong attempt to regenerate depressive music.