Guide to Extinction

It's no secret that Nocturne are admirers of art metallists Tool, as you can tell by the stop-start guitar riffs, elastic basslines, and such song titles as "Cocaine Sex" and "Dirty Sanchez." The Dallas-based band returned in 2005 with their third studio album, Guide to Extinction, which turns out to be another healthy helping of aggro/electro rock. Singer Lacey Connor is obviously the star here, as she alternates between melodic singing and full-on screaming. And yes folks, if this sounds familiar, it's because it's the same formula that Tool's Maynard James Keenan has specialized in all these years, as evidenced by the album-opening track, "Shallow." But there are other influences that the band draws upon, such as a brief death metal breakdown in the middle of "Passion" that is an obvious wink to Slayer, while the slithering electronic beeps of "Walk Away" bring to mind the likes of Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails. It's admirable that Nocturne attempt to throw listeners a few curve balls, but it's hard not to feel that you've heard most of this before, especially if you have well-worn copies of Undertow and Ænima in your collection.