The Key (album)

Infobox Album
Name = The Key
Type = studio
Artist = Nocturnus


Background = lightsteelblue
Released = August 1990
Recorded = Morrisound Studio,
Florida, USA
Genre = Death metal
Progressive death metal
Length = 42:37
Label = Earache Records
Producer = Tom Morris
Nocturnus
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kmdyyl3jxpcb link]
Last album =
This album = "The Key"
(1990)
Next album = "Thresholds"
(1992) |

"The Key" was the first full-length studio album from Florida, USA death metal band, Nocturnus. It was released on Earache Records in 1990 and was followed by "Thresholds" two years later.

The Key, Nocturnus's debut, is actually a concept album centered around an Occult (the influence of drummer/vocalist Mike Browning) meets sci-fi (influenced by guitarist Mike Davis) theme. The story of the album follows a cyborg who goes back in time to the year 0 B.C. which eventually leads to the destruction of Christianity (highlighted by the controversial track "Destroying The Manger") and the creation of a modern empire. This is somewhat bizarre, but original; in addition to being musically true to Metal, the concept of this album stood out in the extreme metal community.

In addition to their bizarre lyrical content the band employed the use of keyboards which was virtually unheard of at the time in the broader genre of thrash metal which prided itself in using "real" instruments. The keyboards were generally used for song intros and more atmospheric purposes however, and like in most "true" metal the music was highlighted by the heavy guitar and drums.

Kam Lee of Massacre provided backing vocals.

Track listing

*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
#"Lake of Fire" – 4:51
#"Standing in Blood" – 4:13
#"Visions from beyond the Grave" – 4:00
#"Neolithic" – 4:40
#"Undead Journey" – 4:16
#"B.C./A.D. (Before Christ/After Death)" – 4:48
#"Andromeda Strain" – 3:36
#"Droid Sector" – 4:16
#"Destroying the Manger" – 5:59
#"Empire of the Sands" – 6:17

Credits

* Mike Browning – drums, vocals
* Mike Davis – guitar
* Sean McNenney – guitar
* Jeff Estes – bass
* Louis Panzer – keyboards

* Kam Lee – backing vocals
* 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

External links

* [http://www.earache.com/catalog/mosh023.html Earache Records album page]
* [http://www.science-of-horror.tk/ Nocturnus fan site]
* [http://www.bnrmetal.com/groups/noct.htm BNR Metal Nocturnus discography page]