Nocturnal Ceremony - Obsidian

"a dark horse for your AOTY list. I was genuinely shocked."

Artist: Nocturnal Ceremony
Album Title: Obsidian
Record Label: Independent
Genre: Blackened Death Metal
For Fans Of:  Igorrr, Behemoth, Bloodbath
Release Date:  March 4th, 2026

This record should not be this good. Nocturnal Ceremony started as kids playing talent shows in the 90s and soon broke up. Now, thirty years later, they are back together and releasing their debut album. The thing is, this record is heavier than a lot of bands that have spent the past 30 years gaining big-time experience and major-label support. ‘Obsidian’ is the total package. The guitar tone is some of the chunkiest I’ve heard in recent memory. The production takes what was already obscenely heavy and intensifies it with clarity and punch. The dynamics keep every moment fresh, and your lip continually raised to your nostrils. The groove is relentless, and the atmosphere is malicious. Seriously, check this one out when it releases. It’s a dark horse for your AOTY list. I was genuinely shocked.

Rating:

“AOTY Contender”

*See below for rating scale*

soundcloud.com/nocturnal-ceremony

*Possible ratings on Heavy Metal Philosophy are;

All-Timer
AOTY Contender
Great Album
Pretty Good
It’s Fine
For Niche Tastes Only
Bad
Annoying
Unlistenable
Not Music

*Note that some albums can have more than one rating. It’s possible for an album to be a “Great Album” and “For Niche Tastes Only”. One rating isn’t always better than another.