Review by Alex on November 13, 2019.

It’s fair to assume the worst when new records by newly formed bands come with the usual FFO, insert legendary band name. Seen it result in underwhelm and failure many times over, but cast your worst fears aside regarding Nox Irae's debut Here the Dead Live, which is a collective comprised of members once involved in Catacomb and Affliction Gate, both of which have released very good records at their time of being active. Now by forming a new bloodline under Transcending Obscurity's watch their debut EP brings a true spirit of antiquity and lives up to the hype references.

I found immediate enjoyment through the opening on 'Phantom Parasite Trauma', it gives you a reason to stick around; fast drumming, confident soloing and vocals that sound like actual death metal ones, not grunts I hear so many vocalists in new Swedish styled death metal bands doing. It's a great song starting out strong and finishing on a climax; you'll also hear the Bolt Thrower in Herastratos' (Affliction Gate) voice almost giving goosebumps at times in being so identical to Karl Willets' and the Deicide in voice and lyrical pattern. That thick, suffocating production Bolt Thrower are known for can be heard too, as a combo they provide macho to Here the Dead Live. Fred's (Catacomb) a maniac on the guitars, takes charge of the music most times and always contributes something of high value to the songs. Most memorable is his guitaring on 'Phantom Parasite Trauma', 'Cold Wind' and 'Supposed Dead'. Those tracks take what would seem normal from and angle and transform them to pieces I've had on repeat for hours.

Here the Dead Live is predominantly death metal but there's thrash metal to be heard on 'Knife Under Throat' (which has a groovy breakdown reminiscent of something I've heard off Temple of Void's "Lords of Death" album) and 'All is Over'- (perhaps my least favorite song in comparison to the rest of the entries), yet still Fred's guitar work remains untouched. The drumming is not without Jérôme Casseri's (Catacomb) magic touch; hard precise hitting, interesting transitions and great pacing to tighten and buckle Nox Irae's follow up to their demo. 'Supposed Dead' is one kick ass track compliments of Fred's solo guitar work, the riffs on there top all others on the album; total dominance coming in the form of catchy licks dispersed throughout the near 5-minute tempo changing, atmospheric master class of a song. Therefore, it should come as no surprise if Nox Irae decide to use that pattern for future releases seeing how refreshing the music was and how well it brought the record to a close. All this is topped off with eye catching cover artwork by Chris Moyen; hence you get a complete package displaying excellence on all fronts.

Nox Irae sound like one of the more promising death metal bands (no surprise there), Here the Dead Live is a fabulous EP that would tickle anyone who likes this kind of death metal.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Kostas on February 16, 2021.

After the release of the historic Thy Mighty Contract, Rotting Christ composed the album that granted them some fame in the underground of the 90s, Non Serviam. The main difference between the debut and this second full-length work of theirs is the enriched sound, which is the outcome of endless solos and the extensive use of keyboards.

The aforementioned solos are the main element that was missing from the band's debut. And they are actually the most noticeable characteristic of this release, being clever and enjoyable, especially in the second half of 'Where Mortals Have No Pride'. There is also a general leaning of the band towards more complex songwriting, with interesting lyrics and constant changes between fast, aggressive parts and more slow, nostalgic ones.

Despite the important improvement in the guitar section, there is still a lack of potential and essence. A dull background which is still present in every song and which is even more remarkable now, with Sakis sounding like a Greek teenager with a bad accent (saying isons instead of icons) trying too hard to be evil. In addition, there are parts where the keyboards sound completely unnecessary, the title track being the most typical example. The drums add to the poor quality, since they seem mechanical, almost as if the band added them in the end just because they had to.

This whole album is proof of the wrong perception the band had of themselves at the time. Instead of investing in what they were good at, which is basically atmosphere, they composed wannabe black metal songs which might be pleasant to listen to from time to time but unfortunately all end up being biased. In the end, Non Serviam leaves a bittersweet taste after listening to it. It does not really appear to be a bad album but rather a continuation towards a wrong path and a trap, from which Rotting Christ thankfully escaped with Triarchy of The Lost Lovers.

Rating: 6.3 out of 10