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Nocturnus

From Alfawiki
Nocturnus AD
IndustryMusic
PredecessorNocturnus
Founded1987 in Tampa, Florida, U.S.
FounderMike Browning
Defunct2002 (first incarnation)
FateReformed as Nocturnus AD in 2013
SuccessorNocturnus AD
Headquarters
Tampa
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Mike Browning (founder, drummer, vocalist)
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

Nocturnus, now operating under the name Nocturnus AD, is a Florida death metal group that originated in Tampa, Florida in 1987, founded by drummer and vocalist Mike Browning (formerly of Morbid Angel).

Origins

The inception of Nocturnus dates back to 1987 when Mike Browning established the band following the dissolution of his prior group, Incubus. The founding members consisted of Browning himself, Gino Marino—previously Incubus’s guitarist—and Richard Bateman, who had played bass for Agent Steel. That same year, they produced a self-titled demo before Marino was replaced by Vincent Crowley on guitar; Crowley eventually departed to create the band Acheron. Subsequently, Mike Davis, an 18-year-old guitar virtuoso and Marino’s cousin, joined as guitarist. Shortly after, Bateman left to become part of Nasty Savage.

By 1988, the band expanded its lineup by adding bassist Jeff Estes and keyboardist Louis Panzer. Panzer’s keyboard contributions set Nocturnus apart within the death metal genre by complementing their science fiction–inspired themes and aesthetic. This configuration released the demo Science of Horror. In 1989, Marino exited once again and was succeeded by Sean McNenney, a longtime acquaintance of Davis. The two guitarists became known for their technically advanced and rapid solos, which became a defining characteristic of Nocturnus's sound.

The Key

In 1989, leveraging Mike Davis’s connection with Morbid Angel guitarist Trey Azagthoth, Nocturnus secured a deal with Earache Records. Their debut album, The Key, was recorded under the production of Tom Morris and released in 1990. This record merged occult motifs with sci-fi influences drawn from Browning and Davis’s inspirations, showcasing intricate guitar performances alongside futuristic keyboard elements. It marked a significant entry in death metal history with standout tracks such as "Standing In Blood" and "BC/AD (Before Christ/After Death)", featuring backing vocals by Kam Lee from Massacre. Global sales reached an estimated 70,000 units.

During the recording process, bassist Jeff Estes faced challenges due to alcoholism that impacted his playing; consequently, Mike Davis handled much of the bass work on the album. Estes was later replaced by Jim O'Sullivan. With O'Sullivan onboard, Nocturnus embarked on a 1991 tour supporting Bolt Thrower and subsequently participated in the Grindcrusher tour alongside bands like Morbid Angel, Napalm Death, and Godflesh. Following these tours, O'Sullivan was dismissed from the group.

Thresholds

In 1992, Dan Izzo was brought in as a dedicated vocalist to allow Browning to concentrate exclusively on drumming and to fulfill Earache's condition for producing a music video featuring a "proper" frontman. Session bassist Chris Anderson contributed to their next release, Thresholds.

With Browning taking a reduced role in songwriting duties, lyrical themes shifted more heavily toward science fiction. Musically, Thresholds displayed greater variety compared to The Key, incorporating an instrumental piece ("Nocturne in Bm"), acoustic guitar sections ("Arctic Crypt"), and unconventional percussion elements ("Tribal Voudon"). Although it did not match the commercial success of its predecessor, it received acclaim for its progressive ambitions. The single "Alter Reality" was accompanied by a music video; meanwhile, tracks like "Arctic Crypt" and "Subterranean Infiltrator" gained popularity among fans. Emo Mowery (formerly of Malediction) joined as full-time bassist, and the band toured Europe; however, insufficient promotion from Earache limited their financial gains.

Back in the United States, internal friction between Mike Browning and other members intensified. Sean McNenney and Louis Panzer secured legal rights to use the name "Nocturnus" without Browning’s knowledge and signed Mike Davis while excluding Izzo and Mowery. As a result, Browning was dismissed and replaced by James Marcinek amid ongoing disputes between factions.

This revamped lineup recorded songs including "Mummified", "The Invertebrate Plague", "The Great Spot", and "Orbital Decay", all composed by Davis, McNenney, and Panzer. Despite these efforts, Earache Records withdrew support and dropped the band. In 1993 they issued a two-track self-titled EP featuring a reimagined early composition along with "Mummified". Shortly thereafter, Panzer, McNenney, and Marcinek departed from Nocturnus, effectively leading to the band's dissolution. Most former members faded from public musical activity except for Mike Davis’s unreleased collaboration with Trey Azagthoth.

Ethereal Tomb

Towards the end of the 1990s, Sean McNenney and Louis Panzer reunited to create ambient metal riffs that gradually transformed into fresh Nocturnus compositions. They regrouped alongside Mike Davis, Emo Mowery, and introduced new drummer Rick Bizarro. In 1999, Nocturnus issued their comeback album Ethereal Tomb through Season of Mist, presenting a more polished ambient style. The band ultimately disbanded again in 2002.

Post-second dissolution, revival, and Paradox

After Nocturnus disbanded, Emo Mowery continued his musical career with groups such as Leash Law. Louis Panzer revived his former band Cry Blue, which Mike Browning characterized as "Sting-influenced music," while also pursuing a career in software in North Carolina, where he holds the position of executive director at North Carolina 8-1-1. Meanwhile, Browning engaged in several projects and currently fronts After Death, a band that echoes a less technical version of Nocturnus’s style. Most other past members have largely stepped away from the music industry; guitarist Mike Davis became somewhat enigmatic due to false reports of his death and erroneous connections to Rob Halford's solo project.

Following the breakup, the band released The Nocturnus Demos, containing early recordings predating their Earache era, as well as Farewell To Planet Earth, a DVD compiling live footage.

In late 2008, Browning toured across the UK and Europe with After Death under the Nocturnus name. In May 2013, Earache Records successfully completed a Kickstarter campaign to reissue Thresholds on vinyl using the original master tapes. That same year, After Death toured Mexico performing as Nocturnus. On September 24, 2013, Nocturnus announced their participation in Maryland Deathfest 2014, where they performed The Key in its entirety. Soon after, the group reformed as Nocturnus A.D., featuring all members from After Death.

On May 24, 2019, Nocturnus A.D. unveiled their fourth studio release, Paradox, under Profound Lore Records.

Nocturnus’s music has been described as "bold and progressive." The band stood out for incorporating science-fiction themes into their lyrics and utilizing keyboards, which was uncommon in extreme metal during that era. Their lyrical content offered a "welcome alternative to death metal’s typical focus on Satan and gore" during their early years. Their debut album from 1990, The Key, is regarded by some as pioneering the progressive death metal genre. The band has expressed: "There’s only so fast you can play and so heavy you can be without it sounding repetitive... perhaps we’ve opened a new path [...] with our music. As long as it continues evolving and bands keep experimenting, it won’t fade away."

Current

  • Mike Browning – drums, lead vocals (1987–1992, 2013–present)
  • Demian Heftel – guitars (2013–present)
  • Belial Koblak – guitars, backing vocals (2013–present)
  • Josh Holdren – keyboards (2017–present)
  • Kyle Sokol – bass (2023–present)

Former

  • Mike Davis – guitars (1988–1993, 1999–2002)
  • Sean McNenney – guitars (1989–1993, 1999–2002)
  • Louis Panzer – keyboards (1988–1993, 1999–2002)
  • Emo Mowery – bass (1992–1993, 1999–2002), lead vocals (1999–2002)
  • Chris Bieniek – drums (2002)
  • Dan Izzo – lead vocals (1991–1993)
  • Gino Marino – guitars (1987–1988; deceased 2017)
  • Vincent Crowley – guitars (1987)
  • Richard Bateman – bass (1987; deceased 2018)
  • Jeff Estes – bass (1988–1991)
  • Jim O'Sullivan – bass (1991; live only)
  • Chris Anderson – bass (1991; session only)
  • James Marcinek – drums (1992–1993)
  • Rick Bizarro – drums (1999–2002)
  • Nocturnal – keyboards (2013–2017)
  • Jason Kiss – keyboards (2017)
  • Daniel Tucker – bass (2013–2022)

Timeline

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Colors= 

id:vocals   value:red        legend:Vocals
id:guitar   value:green      legend:Guitars
id:bass     value:blue       legend:Bass
id:keys     value:purple     legend:Keyboards
id:drums    value:orange     legend:Drums
id:studio   value:black      legend:Studio_Album
id:other    value:gray(0.5)  legend:Demo/Single
id:bars     value:gray(0.95)

LineData= 

at:06/01/1987 color:other layer:back
at:06/01/1988 color:other layer:back
at:08/01/1990 color:black layer:back
at:12/08/1992 color:black layer:back
at:05/01/1993 color:other layer:back
at:02/10/2000 color:black layer:back
at:05/24/2019 color:black layer:back
at:05/17/2024 color:black layer:back

BackgroundColors= bars:bars

BarData= 

bar:Dan     text:"Dan Izzo"
bar:Gino    text:"Gino Marino"
bar:Vinny   text:"Vincent Crowley"
bar:Mike    text:"Mike Davis"
bar:Sean    text:"Sean McNenney"
bar:Demian  text:"Demian Heftel"
bar:Belial  text:"Belial Koblak"
bar:Dick    text:"Richard Bateman"
bar:Jeff    text:"Jeff Estes"
bar:Jim     text:"Jim O' Sullivan"
bar:Chris   text:"Chris Anderson"
bar:Emo     text:"Emo Mowery"
bar:Daniel  text:"Daniel Tucker"
bar:kyle    text:"Kyle Sokol"
bar:mike2   text:"Mike Browning"
bar:james   text:"James Marcinek"
bar:rick    text:"Rick Bizarro"
bar:chris2  text:"Chris Bieniek"
bar:louis   text:"Louis Panzer"
bar:noc     text:"Nocturnal"
bar:jason   text:"Jason Kiss"
bar:josh    text:"Josh Holdren"

PlotData = 

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
bar:dAN    from:07/01/1992 till:10/01/1993  color:vocals
bar:vINNY  from:01/01/1987 till:01/01/1988  color:guitar
bar:mIKE   from:01/01/1988 till:10/01/1993  color:guitar
bar:mIKE   from:01/01/1999 till:10/01/2002  color:guitar
bar:gINO   from:01/01/1987 till:01/01/1989  color:guitar
bar:sEAN   from:01/01/1989 till:10/01/1993  color:guitar
bar:sEAN   from:01/01/1999 till:10/01/2002  color:guitar
bar:dEMIAN from:01/01/2013 till:end          color:guitar
bar:bELIAL from:01/01/2013 till:end          color:guitar
bar:lOUIS  from:01/01/1988 till:10/01/1993  color:keys
bar:lOUIS  from:01/01/1999 till:10/01/2002  color:keys
bar:nOC    from:01/01/2013 till:01/01/2017  color:keys
bar:jASON  from:01/01/2017 till04:/04//2017   color::keys
bar:jOSH   from04:/04//2017till:end          color::keys

bar:dICK from1:/1//1987till1:/1//1988 color:bass bar[...truncated for brevity...]

Albums

EP

  • 1993 Nocturnus

Demos

  • 1987 Nocturnus (demo recording)
  • 1988 The Science of Horror (demo recording)
  • 2004 The Nocturnus Demos (compilation release)

DVD

  • 2004 Farewell to Planet Earth

External links

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