Review: Nyctalopia – Flesh Slayer
For most Christian metal fans, I’m pretty sure that Abated Mass of Flesh is still the final word when it comes to Christian slam, but with the band no longer identifying as a Christian act, it’s left a pretty big hole in the style. Nyctalopia (the name refers to a condition known as “night-blindness) is a one-man slam band from Arizona that seems ready to fill that musical void.
Flesh Slayer Review
One issue I’ve always had with slam is its simplistic nature. As I mentioned in a different review, I can listen to a black metal band like Paysage d’Hiver play the same drum beat for 20 minutes on end, but slam’s caveman-like approach to brutality is a real acquired taste. Thankfully, Nyctalopia doesn’t just settle for chugging along, but actually adds some variety into the mix. Where Nyctalopia shines is its use of a plethora of vocal styles – you get the hideous gurgles that slam vocals are known for, but you also get high-pitched screams and even some mid-range roars, sometimes all combined to give a similar effect to what you’d hear on a Deicide or Bloodwork record. This all helps to keep the album from sinking beneath its own brutality into a morass of noise. More than that however is Nyctalopia’s occasional use of atmosphere as well – witness the haunting ambience that lurks like a dismal fog behind all the carnage on “Repulsive Cycle” for an awesome example of this. There’s even a cover of an Abated Mass of Flesh track to wrap it all up in a gory bow.
Themes and Lyrics
I can’t even imagine if Flesh Slayer was sent to Christian book and music stores in 1991. If Mortification’s first record was considered shocking then, I wonder what kind of reception this one would have gotten. The cover of Flesh Slayer is right up there with Vomitorial Corpulence’s Skin Stripper or Dehumanize’s Malum, Scelesto, Ferox for shock value with its graphic depiction of a man literally tearing himself to pieces. As the artist notes on their Bandcamp page: “Those concerned about the album cover: The album title and art refers to killing your old self and feeding the new.” Putting to death the passions is nothing new in the spiritual life, and though different Christians might differ on how this is done and why, it’s simply part and parcel of carrying our crosses daily. Nyctalopia is simply advocating a death to self message and translating it into a written and visual language that fans of slam music can identify with.
That’s not to say that the whole record’s about brutal asceticism, however. Nyctalopia touches on struggling with depression and finding hope and strength in Christ, societal decay, lust, and also tackles the issue of abortion in a way I haven’t seen since Frost Like Ashes did Born to Pieces. No punches pulled, this is dark and confrontational stuff, but with a light at the end of the tunnel.
Final Thoughts
Overall, though I’m not a big fan of slam as I said, Nyctalopia have managed to impress me with this one. It’s got some atmosphere to it, it’s got variety, and keeps things interesting. And just because I’m not a huge slam devotee doesn’t mean that I can’t see that there’s a ton for slam fans to gorge upon with this one. If you’re looking for a darker introspective take on slam music with a message of self-denial, you’ll dig this one for sure.
For Fans Of
- Revulsed
- Akeldama
- Abated Mass of Flesh (early)
- Voluntary Mortification
- Abominable Putridity
Check out Nyctalopia’s Flesh Slayer here:
https://nyctalopia.bandcamp.com/album/flesh-slayer
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