For the last twenty five years now, Norwegian thrash metal heads NOCTURNAL BREED have been around and very active now since their formation in 1996, they released two demos as well as an EP titled RAPING EUROPE which was released in 1997. This was successfully followed up by their debut album AGGRESSOR in the same year of 1997 and their sophomore album release NO RETREAT...NO SURRENDER also in the next year 1998. That same year also they released another EP titled TRIUMPH OF THE BLASPHEMER as their previous releases were going down very well and well received by their peers, they went on to release another album titled THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE in 2000. Another EP came in the year of 2004 which was titled MOTÖRMOUTH before they had a short break before coming up with another release.

No doubt the band came back after a three year break with another album in 2007 with this fourth album titled FIELDS OF RIOT and again the band didn't come back again til seven years later as it was 2014 before they released their fifth album NAPALM NIGHTS. No doubt that fans that have been following them since the 90's were delighted to see them return once again to the spotlight, they kept themselves busy with three compilation albums in 2016 and 2018. In 2019, their sixth album came titled WE ONLY CAME FOR THE VIOLENCE, which was followed up by two compilation albums in 2021, however they had much more to come, as they finally came up with their seventh studio album. Titled CARRY THE BEAST, the album was released earlier in June this year and reassures fans that they are still active and determined to go forth to conquer the hearts and minds of new fans.
We start with the title track "Carry The Beast" which is very much covered in all sorts of soundscapes of the darker side of thrash metal, with evil vocals whispering words that shivers down your spine. Guitars come in as well later on to have their say in showing their ambition as there is such an interesting dialogue between both elements, vocals and guitars. However we shall not linger too much, as we head into the second track which is "Thrash Metal Hate Saw (The Last Act Of Terror)" with drum hits and guitars sliding about with epic riffs of righteousness. Although vocals take a more black metal approach, they are sinister and deadly as they have a nasty bite and perhaps venomous sting, whereas drums do not overtake vocals or guitars but they hover in the background waiting for the chance to burst through.

But of course this comes true as guitars and drums get their time to venture into a more solo expedition, as the soundscape effects of the intro track is still audible in the midst. Long drum patterns and fills that set up the next track which is "Knights Of Denim" as the riveting guitar gears up with vocals accompanying them, as drums also enter the fore. There is also some spoken word from what sound like two people having a casual conversation, but back to the thrash metal madness as guitar expands its skills of producing some wild high end vibrato. Even when we think the track is over it certainly is not, guitar plays a short crescendo with drums also in tow, as vocals whisper again. There isn't too much more than the regular guitar thrills, demonised vocals and burrowing drums as we head into the next track.

"Salt The Wounds" with a slow but slightly more melodic guitar riff, plus cymbal hits before a more metallic drum pattern ensues and vocals carry as normal. The tempo is not fast but very much full of tasty guitar parts and vocals rules over all, as drums continue their movement as they do vary in timing along the way. There is a slight invasion of a speaking voice but then reverts back to the track's narrative as we hear more stupendous guitar riffs and vocals remain in charge of being relentless. There is a hint of an organ sound in there amongst the halfway point of this track and the tempo set by drums varies even more as we head into the next track.

"Atomic Cruiser" glides in with all sorts of dark and mysterious stirrings of haunting soundscape before guitar slowly builds up an appetite for more solo extravaganza with additional vibrato aside from the satanic vocal whispers. This is such a spanner in the works for a short intermission or chance for the elements to prepare now for the next track which is "Raise The Flag...And The Hordes Will Follow" as this is the sixth track to come now. As we hear a more hardcore pulse of drums as well as driving guitar riffs aside from the harsh and cunning vocals that are just as threatening as the previous tracks. Guitar goes on a short solo sideshow with lots of note picking, but this doesn't slow down the momentum as we head into the next track which is "Nosferata".

Another instrumental track well with some spoken word at the start and then there are swirling soundscape sounds, with vocal chants no doubt that this is a shorter interval for all elements to set up for the next track which is "Lady Vampire". There is a gradual guitar crescendo before the other elements are brought in as drums plays in the background and vocals as they are full of dismay and contributing to the overall mix as guitar shows their skills in producing some high end vibrato which is glorious. The tempo is steady as it goes, with all there is to listen for and into the next track we go which is "I Ain't Marching No More", with riveting drums and guitar riffs coming together to produce some stone cold thrash metal with the vocals still providing the black metal twist.

Vocals and drums seem to come through a lot more, guitars are hidden but once vocals bow out, guitar takes the opportunity to show what they can do. You can hear the full tone of guitar when it plays louder and it is adding so much to the texture and timbre of the track, guitar is begging for blood as is vocals when they respond as drums fuses the whole track together. "I Felt Nothing" is up next as one of three bonus tracks on the album, this track has another mesmerising and paranormal soundscape playing at first with vocals chanting as the track progresses on with all sorts of voices speaking in addition. "Trench Fever" is mostly a continuation of what the previous track portrayed, another bonus track full of satanic chants but guitar does play a part of this bonus track as it comes and goes.

Halfway through the drums and bass guitar make their comeback into the frame, but not for long as they both go back into their hiding spots, for the surrounding elements to have their say but now we head into the third and final bonus track of this album titled "Blitzhammer". With a short soundscape section and then guitar jumps up to play high end harmonic riffs and vocals also coming back to full force with drums laying themselves underneath but still present in the mix which is very important. Guitar has a short section to get a solo part with vocals towards the end as the album closes, the album overall is great, very much produced in similar ways to the bigger mainstream thrash bands, the injection of black metal works very well in the band's favour. They have been around for so long, perhaps they may stick around for a bit longer, we will have to wait and see, but a great album full of glamorous guitar riffs as well as cunning drums.