Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Nocturnal Graves - An Outlaw's Stand (2022)

Whilst Nocturnal Graves brand of blackened death metal is most certainly something I enjoy, I have never managed to garner that much excitement from any of the bands releases to date.  I have no issue with things sounding generic to some extent but if you stuck me a playlist on of Nocturnal Graves I would not be able to tell you which album the song came from.  Similarly here, many of the tracks on An Outlaw's Stand might as well be left overs from the Titan album, such is the lack of any real deviation from the output on that record.

Now, this is not to say that Nocturnal Graves lack quality or talent.  They have both in droves.  Those Morbid Angel references are obvious and well executed.  Whether it the guitar or vocal work that cites the heyday of the death metal legends, both are done with exceptional ability, even if those drums are not attempting to match Sandoval-era blasting.  If I was awarding points for attitude then Nocturnal Graves would be in my high scores all day long with this record.  There is an assuredness to the tracks here that does not waiver once, and when you are doing death metal this well you have no need to have any doubts.  Even if I do not find the record all that versatile, I cannot argue with the stoic intent that sits behind the music.

That withstanding, I cannot commit any high scores to An Outlaw's Stand based on the resoluteness of its delivery alone. On balance, although well performed, it is a completely forgettable experience nonetheless. When it is on, I am enjoying it but had it not been a feature release this month to secure my attention for reviewing purposes then I would not have come back to it beyond one full listen through.