Noctem

Noctem are a Spanish black metal group from Mislata, Valencia, active since 2001. Their music is described as drawing on black metal, death metal, melodic black metal and thrash metal influences, while their subject matter centres on former civilisations, war, destruction, death and belief in old deities. The band also develops a distinctive warlike visual style and presents its concerts as a violent visual spectacle that reflects the themes of its lyrics.

History

The group forms in April 2001. In 2002 it records its first work, Unholy blood, which remains in circulation for two years. After several line-up changes, the band continues to play nationally and to write new material while searching for a more personal sound. It then releases the self-produced live recording live 2004, recorded in its home city.

Following the departure of two of its longest-standing members in 2007/2008, Noctem restructures and records the MCD God Among Slaves. The release gains attention from online press and metal audiences and leads to further touring across Spain, alongside foreign acts on Spanish dates.

Recordings and touring

In 2008 Noctem signs to Noisehead Records in Austria and undertakes the Noctem European Tour 08, performing in Spain, Portugal, France, Andorra, the UK, Belgium and Italy. In January 2009 it records its debut album Divinity in Vienna. The album includes collaborations with Christos Antoniou of Septic Flesh and Chaos Star, and with Leal, formerly of Forever Slave. It is issued in Europe by Noisehead Records and in the United States by Relapse Records.

The album also generates two videos, including Across Heracles towards, directed by Miguel Angel Font Bisier. In 2009 Noctem promotes Divinity through festival and tour appearances in Spain and Portugal, sharing bills with acts including Malevolent Creation, Vomitory and Napalm Death on Spanish dates.

In 2010 the band tours Europe with Incantation and Hate, with dates in Great Britain, France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. It then records another video from Divinity, followed in the same year by a tour with Ragnarok across Austria, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium. Later in 2010 it joins Gorgoroth on an Eastern European tour and also appears with Finntroll and Carach Angren.