“De kinderdroom die is dan dood. Maar de man in mij zet voort.”
First emerging from the Netherlands’ modern and contemporary metal scene in 2021, Dutch black-gaze band, Noctambulist, have cultivated a sound that is as haunting as the artwork that decorates their debut album cover. Their music blends the bleak despair of black metal with the melancholic melodies of shoegaze—a combination that evokes true emotion. Alongside fellow Dutch bands like Karg, Noctambulist craft compositions that leave listeners in a “serotonin summit”, enveloped in an atmospheric darkness. The band’s aims lie in personifying contrast, balancing devastating instrumentals with gloomy conceptual themes that permeate not only their music but every aspect of their aesthetic.
With their sophomore album, Noctambulist II: De Droom, set to release on February 7th, via These Hands Melt, the band takes this exploration of contrast and emotional depth to new heights. Spanning nine tracks, each song provides a distinct take on Noctambulist’s new and evolving sound. While De Droom is not explicitly a conceptual album, its underlying theme revolves around the idea of homeownership—not in its conventional sense but rather delving into the common experience of unattainable ideals. The album’s cover, featuring a destroyed and derelict house, perfectly mirrors these themes, serving as a visual metaphor for hopelessness and failure. These concepts bleed into the sonic aspects of the album, creating a layered experience that is both visceral and haunting.
Compared to their debut album, Noctambulist I: Elegieën, this new record showcases the band’s expansion of their sonic palette. While Elegieën leaned more into the belligerence of black metal and classic shoegaze progression, De Droom delves deeper into post-punk and more experimental influences, offering a more refined and mature take on their signature sound, without sacrificing its aggression. The interaction between chaotic hostility and sombre fragility is sharper than ever, marking a significant evolution in their work.
There are several standout elements across De Droom that deserve special attention. The first thing that stood out to me were the guitar sections. Each song is decorated with intricate and versatile layers, weaving between crushing riffs and light, reverb-soaked melodies. Additionally, the guitar tones used throughout the album imbed each track with its own sonic uniqueness and texture, while still maintaining a cohesive atmosphere that connects each song together. One particularly memorable moment is the guitar solo featured in the album’s second track, “Petrichor”. This solo is able to shift the album’s focal point with somewhat technical playing and tasteful melodic choices that fit the track perfectly.
Equally crucial to Noctambulist’s sound is their drum work. This element adds an immense amount of movement and life to each track, with intense, suffocating buildups to complex, layered structures. This album has great rhythmic diversity, including an interesting use of syncopation and backbeats – each varying drumbeat driving the emotional narrative forward.
Finally, the album’s production is another standout aspect. Overall, the production is a clean balance between absolute clarity and a realist, raw approach, ensuring that the mix feels natural and authentic. Each instrument is given its own space, allowing the intricate layers to shine through without overshadowing one another, while the vocals sit perfectly in the centre, neither overpowering nor getting lost within the occasional chaos. Whilst the production complements Noctambulist’s blend of styles, there are moments where this fusion of genres could have had more fluidity – as heard particularly in track 5, “Lichteter”. Although combining sonically contrasting styles is undeniably challenging, a slightly more cohesive integration would elevate the album’s overall experience.
To conclude, Noctambulist have created a record that feels both devastating and cathartic, a reflection of their ongoing exploration of contrast and emotion. By experimenting with their sound whilst retaining the authenticity that defined their debut, Noctambulist’s De Droom is a great example of how to craft a compelling album that listeners can easily resonate with and immerse themselves in its atmosphere. If you’re in need of a solid contemporary metal release from a smaller artist, Noctambulist II: De Droom is exactly what you’re searching for.
7.5/10
Noctambulist II: De Droom is out February 7th via These Hands Melt.