Noctule Sorix

"Nonsense" live at Noctule Sorix home
Noctule Sorix have trodden a rather turbulent career path, that has not prevented them from diversifying their sound, whilst always maintaining a tendency to point out the folly of life through claustrophobic atmospherics, and carving out a solid reputation thanks to their original and consistent production style. Noctule Sorix (bat in latin) formed in 1995 in Metz, when twin brothers (and Art Students) Mr Fabb and Noctule. h decided to start a group leaning heavily towards the influences of The Cure, Bauhaus or Joy Division. Flanked by a guitarist, a drummer and singer by the name of Zok., the twins produced a cassette “First Demo” that contained a mix of covers and their own compositions. At the end of 1996, the guitarist left the group, soon to be followed by the drummer, leaving Mr Fabb (keyboards), Noctule. h. (bass) and Zok. (vocals) to carry the flag. Early in 1997, the trio found another guitarist in the shape of Jerome AD, who was also singer-guitarist with Drama Of The Spheres. This new line up recorded a second demo “Sophia”, which was a much more consistent and personal effort than the preceding demo. At the end of 1997, Zok left the group, soon to be replaced by Mary, who brought a slightly ethereal, fragile sounding quality to the group’s compositions. A quality that is evident on their very interesting Third demo “3ème Enfer”, on which the quartet abandoned their acoustic sound for a more Electronic style, situated somewhere between “Female Batcave” and “Melodic Goth”. In 1999, Noctule Sorix recorded their first album “Joa Slova”, entirely self-produced and put out on the Gobo Productions label, set up by Jerome AD. Based on songs from their previous demos (5 songs are included), this excellent CD developed a dark and oppressive atmosphere based around alienating drum machine beats and swathes of cold synth, in which Mary’s disillusioned vocals did nothing to comfort the listener. This work attracted critical acclaim from the media, though this did not prevent the group from splitting up at the end of 1999. Mary and Jerome AD returned to Drama of the Spheres, whilst Mr Fabb and Noctule. h went back to work on their own. They returned to the Studio early in 2000 in order to produce their second work “Sweet Asylum ?”, being joined by the talents of Olivier Leonelli (from Orphan), Zok., Severine Toffano or Franky Hillman. But on 9th March 2000, only 3 days after the final mixing of the album, Mr Fabb was suddenly killed in an accident. After a period of doubt and reflection, Noctule. h decided to carry on their adventure, and the album finally came out in Oct 2000 with most of the CD booklet dedicated to the memory of Mr Fabb. Yet more electronic and experimental than it’s predecessor, and with less vocals (plus 2 songs in French), “Sweet Asylum ?” revealed an original mixture of synth cold wave, and haunting dark wave comparable to Sleeping Dogs Wake. In the middle of all this we find a surprising cover version of Marilyn Manson’s ‘Coma White’…… complete with a female voice. Zok. returned to the fold, this time as guitarist, and the group became a trio with the arrival of Dieter. G. This new line up brought another musical evolution for the group, as is evidenced by the mini-album “Chrysalide Child” which was released in 2001 through N-SX Project, a group sponsored venture. Containing 6 numbers, “Chrysalid Child” is resolutely organic, abandoning their previous electronic sound for a slow, spleen gorging rock. 2002 was a quiet year for the group with only a four song EP being released, “Mr Brown” that saw a return to hypnotic electro sounds and fragile guitars, similar to their early work. And even though Noctule. h. and Zok spent 2003 collaborating with the Lorrain electro group Virus 37 on their excellent single “Good Time is Forever Gone”, they did not neglect Noctule Sorix for long, and brought out a new album “Zygène de la Filipendule” in 2005. This rather beautiful album is without doubt the group’s most accomplished work yet, but also it’s most varied. Electro, Cold-Wave, Batcave and Goth Rock were mixed together to give a rich and evocative record. Painstakingly produced over a period of 2 years, this record also marked the end of an era for the group, with Dieter. G leaving the band after the end of the recording of “Zygène de la Filipendule’. The duo remains together with a view to putting together a fourth album. I bet that once again they will surprise us with what they produce !!
Text by Christophe Lorentz from Carnets Noirs II
(translate by LN & Steve)