Nocturnus

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Nocturnus was an American progressive death metal band formed in Tampa, Florida in 1987 by drummer/vocalist Mike Browning (formely of Morbid Angel). They were knwon for being unique in the Florida death metal scene because of their science-fiction-themed lyrics (although often combined with typical death metal anti-Christian sentiments), and use of keyboards, both of which were virtually unknown in extreme metal at the time of their formation.

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[edit] Biography

Nocturnus was formed in 1987 by drummer/vocalist Mike Browning following the breakup of his old band Incubus. The band was formed by Browning, former Incubus guitarist Gino Marino and former Agent Steel bassist Richard Bateman. The band eventually began working on material and added second guitarist Vincent Crowley. This first lineup recorded one self titled demo in 1987. Crowley quit (going on to form Acheron) and was replaced by then-unknown 18-year old guitar prodigy Mike Davis. Bateman quit shortly afterwards to join Nasty Savage.

The band remained inactive for some time, returning with new bassist Jeff Estes and a keyboard player, Louis Panzer, both friends of Davis, in 1988. Panzer's addition gave the band a new, more "spacey" atmosphere to the music that made them unique in death metal at the time. This lineup put out the classic Sciences of Horror demo. In 1989 Marino quit and was replaced by Davis's long time friend and neighbor Sean McNenney. The band, now featuring two virtuoso guitarists, became increasingly technical and complex, which largely added to their audience.

In 1989, thanks in large part to Mike Davis's somewhat ironic friendship with Morbid Angel guitarist Trey Azagthoth, the band signed to Earache Records. The band recorded their debut album, The Key with Tom Morris, which was released in 1990. The album, filled with a unique occult meets sci-fi concept (a blend of Browning and Davis's influences, respectivly), virtuoso guitar pyrotechnics and space-age-ish keyboards, managed to become a death metal hit, spawning classic tracks such as "Standing In Blood" and "BC/AD (Before Christ/After Death)". It has gone on to sell 70,000 copies worldwide. It also featured backing vocals by former Mantas/Death and then Massacre vocalist Kam Lee.

Jeff Estes began developing a major drinking problem during the recording of The Key. This damaged his bass playing skills (Mike Davis ended up playing much of the bass on The Key) and was fired shortly after because of this. He was repalced by Jim O'Sullivan. with O'Sullivan on board the band toured for The Key in 1991 in support Bolt Thrower and then embarked on the Grindcrusher tour with Morbid Angel, Napalm Death and Godflesh. O'Sullivan ended up not working out and he was fired as soon as the bands tours were over.

In 1992 the band decided to get a full time vocalist, allowing Browning to concentrate soley on drumming and because Earache promised the band a music video if they got a "real" frontman. Former Tortured Souls vocalist Dan Izzo was brought in on lead vocals. The band drafted Chris Anderson to play bass on their new album, Thresholds.

With Browning becoming less involved in the bands songwriting, Thresholds saw the band moving in a much more space and sci-fi oriented direction. It was generally more musically reserved than The Key (in the case of "Arctic Crypt", at times even melodic), with Davis and McNenney not playing as many non-stop solos as they did on The Key (the solos, while still high-speed shredding, were also generally more melodic and longer). The album did not sell quite as well as The Key, perhaps due to the bands more mature direction. However it was still successful and the band shot a video for "Alter Reality", which became a metal hit in Europe. The band also got a new permanent bassist Emo Mowery (formely of Malediction) and had a successful European tour for Thresholds.

However around this time the band began to lose label support from Earache. Their contract was dropped. Growing dissatisfied with the bands direction and his lack of involvement in it, Mike Browning left Nocturnus in 1993. He was replaced by James Marcinek. With Marcinek the new lineup put out a two song self-titled EP in 1993. However Panzer, McNenney, and Marcinek all departed the band after this. Davis and Mowery formed a new band under a different name.

In 2000 Mowery and Davis reunited with McNenney and Panzer, along with new drummer Rock Bizarro and released their comeback album Ethereal Tomb. However in 2002 the band finally split up for good.

Since braking up Mowery is now in the band Leash Law. Mike Davis has given up music and moved on to a stable job and family life. Louis Panzer reformed an old band called Cry Blue, which Mike Browning described as "Sting type music". Browning has been involved in a wide variety of projects, currently After Death, which bares a style similar to a less technical Nocturnus.

Post-breakup the band has made two releases, The Nocturnus Demos, a collection of the bands pre-Earache recordings, and Farewell To Planet Earth, a DVD of live shows from various periods.

Long interview with Browning

[edit] Members

Vocals

  • Dan Izzo (1992-1993)
  • Browning was vocalist from 1987 to 1992
  • Mowery was vocalist from 2000 to 2002

Guitars

  • Gino Marino (1987-1989)
  • Vincent Crowley (1987)
  • Mike Davis (1987-1993/2000-2002)
  • Sean McNenney (1989-1993/2000-2002)

Bass

  • Richard Bateman (1987)
  • Jeff Estes (1989-1991)
  • Jim O' Sullivan (1991)
  • Chris Williams (1992) (session only)
  • Emo Mowery (1992-1993/2000-2002)

Drums

  • Mike Browning (1987-1992)
  • James Marcinek (1992-1993)
  • Rick Bizarro (2000)

(the band may have also had drummers after Bizarro who's names are not known)

Keyboards

  • Louis Panzer (1988-1993/2000-2002)

[edit] Discography

[edit] External links

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