Album Review: The Noctambulant – Revival (Terminus Hate City)

The Noctambulant, the Southern gothic blackened death metal band, are back with ‘Revival’, out September 18th, 2026, via Terminus Hate City.

On the one hand, The Noctambulant spew a familiar type of melodic black and death metal that will have fans of extreme music nodding hard in approval. Yet, on the other, they create music that is often experimental and challenging, layered with charged atmosphere, resulting in a few heads being scratched. They’re wholly unique in so many ways, and once again with ‘Revival’, they have released something that will stand the test of time.

I dig what they do, because for all their different ideas, their creativity is still rooted in black and death metal.

Beginning in ominous fashion, the intro of Repent and Be Saved sets the tone with its sermon. Thick with gloomy and worrisome atmosphere, it leads into the explosive Bring the Sorrow. The blackened energy is startling, but perhaps more surprising is the fact it has a catchy chorus and is capped off by screaming guitar solo.

Apokalypsis is where The Noctambulant really start to explore and meld harsher heaviness with darkly dramatic soundscapes. Something that grows and grows as the album goes on. There’s Dark Dawn, with its rhythmic beats and feral flareups that prove to be exceptionally addictive. Then there is Macabre, a track that can be best summed up by what inspired it, Revelation 9:6.

And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them.

This being followed by another sermon layered with disconcerting dark atmosphere, makes things feel even more twisted. It might only be an Interlude, but it has such a potent effect. Especially the moment when the congregation’s unified voice is joined by something more demonic sounding. It’s brief, but it sent a chill down my spine.

This kind of imaginative writing is why this album will stand the test of time.

It’s back to being outright ferocious with Skeleton Key as The Noctambulant unleash a cacophony of addictive blackened brutishness. Another great example of how they make extreme metal sound so appealing. Although the thunderous noise of Killing Tree and the radical experimentation in Hell Ride certainly don’t disappoint either. It’s all simply too much fun.

The penultimate track is San Martino, an eerie tale inspired by a Southern legend about a lost Florida monastery that was swallowed by the swamp. The tolling of bells as an outro, is haunting. Before the album wraps up with a cover. It’s Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Black Seeds. Not a cover I expected to hear, but a cover transformed by the sound of black metal.

You don’t have to be wicked to like this album, but it probably helps. The Noctambulant transport the listener to dark and devilish places, but once there, few will want to leave. I know I didn’t. An incredibly impressive effort overall.

The Noctambulant – Revival Track Listing:

1. Repent and Be Saved
2. Bring the Sorrow
3. Apokalypsis
4. Dark Dawn
5. Macabre
6. Interlude
7. Skeleton Key
8. Killing Tree
9. Hell Ride
10. San Martino
11. Red Right Hand (Nick Cave and the Black Seeds Cover)

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