Used to think this album was too goofy for its own good, but what the hell, it's pretty enjoyable.

It has its moments. Demos (and Browning's Incubus, for that matter) kick the shit out of it

Care to elaborate?

NP:

America's answer to 80's Bolt Thrower? Coincidentally, this came out in 1989 too.

Yet they are not nearly as well regarded. I don't mind Nocturnus, but they are really one of those 'you-had-to-be-there' type bands. i.e. an active participant/consumer in the underground scene of the early to mid 90's. They really flubbed their opportunity to be relevant again with the weak album they released in 1999, and the rest is history.

Not sure how The Key is any more 'goofy' than many other poorly produced overly ambitious metal albums of its time though.


N.P Iced Earth 30th anniversary reissue. Wow. This remix is pretty incredible. I generally don't approve of remixing, and especially just remastering, old albums, but this is really a huge improvement.

Some of the keys and guitar noodling sounds goofy to me, but I don't mind it as much as I used to.

NP: Gorement again

Goofy sounding keys and synths were standard issue for 'underground' metal at that time. If they sound more 'goofy' on The Key, it's only because they are more prominent than they were in PL or COF albums of the early to mid 90's where they also kind of sounded like arse, at least by today's standards anyway. They sounded fine at the time.


N.P Testament Titans of Creation

I like keys in (death) metal and whatnot, but I just think Nocturnus weren't the best at using them.

NP:

^ Wrong thread?

NP:

Melodic doom/death metal in the vein of October Tide.

On a big Scandinavian DM kick now.
Earlier:


Now:

Not a huge fan, but Floor sounds pretty incredible here. Great voice. No studio trickery BS ala Scabbia and that Within Temptation bird. She is genuinely powerful. Pull up any live clip with her on Youtube with Nightwish and it's the same deal. Gotta give credit where it's due.

Promising band. I just hope they won't sell out anytime soon!