After obtaining a new record deal with Metal Blade Records, four piece doom act NOCTUM stepped up their game and drowned into heavier riffs than before. If the rock influences are still obviously grooving into the Swedish act's music, well, this time, they've hit harder with an authentic and tasteful balance of old-school to modern. Subsequent to the three albums and EPs released from 2010 to 2013, NOCTUM newly unleashed a 7'' vinyl format single under the name of ''Until Then... Until The End''. Clocking at a total of 9 minutes, the two song work depicts great spirit and drive. As the word 'Noctum' itself is a Latin-borrowed expression for ''eternal damnation'' or ''darkness'', the formation's music can only be promising...

Clear sounding music for a vicious mind, jazzy with a tad of heavy, twisted and wicked in all its beauty. A sincere groove exudes from NOCTUM's music, maliciously filled with chunky riffs and a rusty distortion. All about a driving rhythm, twisting tempo and riff shifts, the old school heavy rock aura is captured in a nutshell, gleaming. It's accessible, soulful, packed with unpredictable elements, all wrapped in a satisfying, catchy formula. The eponymous first piece, clocking a 4:54 minutes, is an honest demonstration of what heavy metal, fed with a variety of rock influences, should sound like. Supported with unexpected high chants, as the music could of rocked a virile, low voice, the high notes expressed by David Indelöf add an interesting surprise to the record as a whole; with experimental back vocals solidifying the band's signature and statement of style. Fueled with wailings and whammy-bar experimentation at the song's climax, NOCTUM brilliantly end the track with one last shot at their main riff. Wicked.

Simple structures guide the music, though variations and changes are frequent. The nice, lively pace swings from consistent to abrupt and unexpected, offering a contemplative outlook of the band's tricks and ranges. ''In Precious Time'' may be closer to the popular recipe, but the bad ass tone wins it over. The almost-black-metal-distorted-riffing intro will grasp your attention, as an alternative beat brings you back in the rock/modern spirit. Mesmerizing riffs will empower you, convincing you into blasting the music louder, as the soothing, profound double pedal is finely blended with chunky sections. A crusty, distorted tone sticks through the whole track, underpinned by a grooving eight note bass partition.

Surprisingly heavy and fierce for a retro sounding band, the Swedish rockers play with confidence and feeling. Alternative, gloomy and swing, you're in for a treat! There's no haunting, glorious concept, but there sure is an undeniable a vibe, something to catch you and hypnotize you.