Final Sacrifice

Noctum, a four-piece band from Uppsala, Sweden, have released their sophomore album Final Sacrifice, furthering their retro-metal style. Formed in 2009, Noctum debuted with The Séance in September 2010, a doom-oriented album reminiscent of Black Sabbath and Pentagram. Their latest offering, however, shifts towards a more NWOBHM sound, evoking the early days of Mercyful Fate.

Final Sacrifice embraces occult themes, moving away from their doom roots. This concept album showcases Noctum’s impressive musicianship and songwriting abilities. The production captures a nostalgic retro sound, reminiscent of the metal of yesteryear, and the hooks throughout the album are both catchy and memorable. Tracks like “Conflagration” and “Resurrected in Evil” effectively blend the album’s dark themes with well-crafted music.

However, it is difficult to overlook the striking resemblance to Mercyful Fate. The vocal style, including high-pitched backing vocals, and the dual guitar work closely mirror the sound of Mercyful Fate’s classic albums.