Carry the Beast

Carry the Beast marks a significant moment in Nocturnal Breed's discography, arriving as a mature, almost reflective take on their signature 'black-rock-n-roll' sound. Released in 2023, the album sees the Norwegian veterans leaning heavily into an old-school analog production aesthetic that emphasizes texture over sheer volume. Unlike their earlier, more frantic releases, this album utilizes longer track lengths - exemplified by the epic 'Knights of Denim' - to explore a more traditional heavy metal songwriting approach. The influence of early Sodom, Destruction, and Venom is palpable, yet there is a distinctively Norwegian gloom that permeates the slower passages. Critics noted the album's refusal to modernize, praising its 'basement' feel and the raw, unpolished vocal performance of S.A. Destroyer. It stands as a tribute to the genre's roots while maintaining the band's reputation for aggressive, uncompromising blackened thrash.