Noctuary (band)

Noctuary
Origin	Orange County, California, United States
Genres	Black metal
Years active	1995–2007
Labels	Lost Disciple (1998−2003) Quadrivium (2006-2007)
Associated acts	Summoned Evil Dead Despise You Winterthrall Krieg
Past members
Christopher Price Darin Wynn

Noctuary was an American black metal band formed in 1995 out of the ashes of small time death-metal band Summoned. They are noted for being one of the premier new wave of American black metal bands in the mid to late 1990s.

History

Noctuary was formed after the dissolution of death metal band Summoned, in order for singer Joseph Van Fossen and guitarist Darin Wynn to focus on their burgeoning interest in the worldwide Black Metal movement. A demo, entitled "Where All Agony Prevails" was self-financed and released in 1996, gaining interest in underground black metal circles worldwide. The demo led to a deal with independent metal label Lost Disciple, based out of Massachusetts. The band recruited session drummer (and later full-time member) Robert Alaniz, a former member of legendary 80's thrash outfit Evildead and underground grindcore legends Despise You, to record on the album. The result was "...For Salvation", a full-length record that garnered worldwide metal-press raves, and pushed the band to the forefront of the US Black Metal scene. Feature articles in notable publications such as ""Metal Maniacs"" and others followed, as did well-received showcase performances at national festivals such as the famed Milwaukee Metalfest.

After the publicity for "...For Salvation", the band went through a small lineup change as Guitarist Christopher Price joined the band. Noctuary focused on writing and recording their new album "When Fires Breed Blood", released on Lost Disciple in 2000. Once again the international metal press bathed the album in rave reviews, praising the album for its intricate classical and jazz inspired guitar harmonies and use of modernist classical piano interludes, as well as the introduction of some clean vocals that were compared to those of bands like Ulver. Additionally, Iron Maiden influences appeared, as did influences from bands like Rotting Christ and Megadeth.

The band continued to play live, undergoing yet another lineup change as bassist Steven Nelson (Winterthrall, Paradigm) and guitarist Jeffrey Peters entered the fold. The band toured and recorded demos, looking for a new record deal after the demise of Lost Disciple Records. Members of the band toured with various other outfits as session musicians during this period, participating in tours with outfits such as Welcome to Your Life, Krieg and Nachtmystium, among others. In the period between 2001 and 2007, Noctuary played main-stage performances at several of the largest metal festivals in the US, most notably the Massachusetts Metal and Hardcore Festival in 2001, 2003 and 2005. In 2005 the bands was featured in the documentary Dark Planet: Visions of America. A lengthy interview was included as was music from the band.

In 2006 the band found a home at Los Angeles based indie label Quadrivium Records, where they recorded and release 2006's "Recollection". At this point, however, interest in the band had faded due to extended time between releases, and the band split up in late 2007. Drummer Robert Alaniz continued with bands Winterthrall, Despise You and a rumored reformation of thrash metal legends Evil Dead, and has toured with underground thrash metal legends Abattoir. Additionally he is a member of Anger as Art, a thrash metal band featuring members of Abattoir. Steven Nelson has continued to perform and record with his bands Winterthrall and Destroy Judas.

Band members

Last known members

• Joseph Van Fossen - guitar/vocals (1995–2007)
• Jeffrey Peters - guitar (2002–2007)
• Steven Nelson - bass (1999–2007)
• Robert Alaniz - drums (1998–2007)

Past members

• Christopher Price - guitar (1999–2002)
• Darin Wynn - guitar (1995–1998)
• Sean Ball - bass guitar (1995–1997)

Discography

Full length

• ...For Salvation
  1998
  Lost Disciple
• 'When Fires Breed Blood]
  2000
  Lost Disciple
• Recollection
  2006
  Quadrivium

Demos, singles, and DVDs

• Where All Agony Prevails (1996) (demo)
• Demo 2004 (2004) (demo)
• Demo 2005 (2005) (demo)

Compilations

• Dead Forever: A Tribute to Motorhead- Song: Iron Fist (1999) (Dwell Records)
• Show No Mercy: A Tribute to WASP- Song: Hellion (2001) (Dwell Records)

References