Noctule returns with new single Lord of Blood and news of Elden Ring-inspired album Extinguish Thy Flame

Noctule - the black metal project from Svalbard’s Serena Cherry - is returning with the new single Lord Of Blood and the album Extinguish Thy Flame.

Serena’s following up her 2021 solo debut Wretched Abyss with an album that fuses melodeath and black metal, inspired by the beloved video game Elden Ring. It will be self-released on September 25.

"Melodeath and black metal are two of my favourite genres, and while I never set out with the deliberate intention to merge the two genres together, that is how this album has ended up sounding. I'm proud that Noctule doesn't really sound like anything else in the metal world,” Serena says.

Written over a period of two years, each song is about a different boss in a game which Serena has credited as having saved her life.

"Whenever I truly fall in love with a video game, it ignites a creative fire inside me that makes me want to write songs about the game,” she reveals. “Video games are such a deep source of inspiration for me. Elden Ring is not just my favourite game: it's the game that saved my life and helped me overcome the darkest challenges of mental illness. I'm not the same person as I was before Elden Ring came out, this game has taught me so much about perseverance and inner strength. That's why I felt utterly compelled to write an album about Elden Ring."

As for the relationship between Elden Ring and metal, she adds: “I think the unforgiving world of Elden Ring and the harsh sounds of extreme metal belong together. Metal is intense, relentless and uncompromising - so is Elden Ring as a game. Writing a metal album about Elden Ring couldn't be more fitting in my eyes."

Lead single Lord Of Blood is inspired by the horned demigod Mogh: “This song represents the joy and freedom of being in full control of the music you create, without having to make any compromises with bandmates or managers. I love creating music by myself and in Lord of Blood - I think that shows,” Serena explains.

“This song is a celebration of pure musical independence; as well as an ode to the towering, horned demigod Mogh: Lord of Blood from Elden Ring. I'm proud that it doesn't sound like anything else in the metal world right now. Honestly Lord of Blood has of my favourite guitar leads I've ever written. When it comes to making metal music, I just can't resist adding layer upon layer of guitar harmonies."

Check it out below:

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