The Key (Nocturnus album)
The Key is the first full-length studio album from Florida progressive death metal band Nocturnus. It was released on Earache Records in October 1990.
| The Key | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 1, 1990 | |||
| Recorded | June 1990 Morrisound Studio, Florida, USA | |||
| Genre | Technical death metal Progressive death metal | |||
| Length | 46:56 | |||
| Label | Combat/Earache | |||
| Producer | Tom Morris Nocturnus | |||
| Nocturnus chronology | ||||
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| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
A concept album, The Key is centered on an occult (the influence of drummer/vocalist Mike Browning) meets sci-fi (influenced by guitarist Mike Davis) theme. The story follows a cyborg who travels back in time to the year 0 B.C. to assassinate Jesus Christ which leads to the destruction of Christianity (highlighted by the controversial track "Destroying the Manger") and the creation of a modern empire.
In addition to their unusual lyrical content, the band employed the use of keyboards which was virtually unheard of at the time in the broader genre of death metal. The keyboards were generally used for song intros and more atmospheric purposes, however, and most of the album was based upon a more conventional guitar and drums approach, with Kam Lee of Massacre providing backing vocals.
Browning has claimed that he has not seen any royalties from either this album or its follow up since he was kicked out of the band, blaming both former band members and Earache Records.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Lake of Fire" | 4:51 |
| 2. | "Standing in Blood" | 4:13 |
| 3. | "Visions from Beyond the Grave" | 4:00 |
| 4. | "Neolithic" | 4:40 |
| 5. | "Undead Journey" | 4:16 |
| 6. | "B.C./A.D. (Before Christ/After Death)" | 4:48 |
| 7. | "Andromeda Strain" | 3:36 |
| 8. | "Droid Sector" | 4:16 |
| 9. | "Destroying the Manger" | 5:59 |
| 10. | "Empire of the Sands" | 6:17 |
Credits
- Nocturnus
- Mike Browning - lead vocals, drums, percussion
- Mike Davis - lead guitar, rhythm guitar
- Sean McNenney - lead guitar, rhythm guitar
- Jeff Estes - bass guitar
- Louis Panzer - keyboards
- Additional Personnel
- Kam Lee - backing vocals
- Production
- All songs written by Nocturnus
- Lyrics on tracks 1, 2, 3, and 5 by Mike Browning
- Lyrics on tracks 4, 6, 7, and 9 by Mike Browning and Mike Davis
- Lyrics on track 8 by Mike Browning, Mike Davis, and Louis Panzer
- Recorded at Morrisound Studio, Florida, USA
- Produced by Tom Morris and Nocturnus
- Engineered by Tom Morris
- Cover art by Dan Seagrave
- Logo by R.P. Roberts