The long-awaited debut album from female-fronted Midwest rockers.

10 MP3 Songs in this album (39:54) !
Related styles: Rock: Modern Rock, Rock: Hard Rock, Mood: Dreamy

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Details:
Album review by Josh Lauritsen, IndyConcerts.com

"Itâs one thing for a band to generate buzz, but before they even make their first public appearance?

A feat like that is almost unheard of, and leave it to the Indy Music Scene for giving us a band that did just that.

Noctura has been in the works for a few years now. Through hard work, dedication and utilizing the social networks, theyâve built a loyal fan base around the world, had two of their songs on heavy rotation on X103, saw their debut show sold out in under three days, and hooked up with esteemed producer Dan Certa (The Fray, Seether, We Are the Fallen, etc.) to release their much-anticipated debut âSurrender the Sun.â

The first album is always crucial in a bandâs journey. For the rest of their career, theyâll be judged by what they were able to do with that first effort, for better or worse.

So how does Nocturaâs first impression fare?

As fairly or unfairly as this will sound, this album will draw many comparisons to Evanescence, but make no mistake, after hearing what it is they have to offer, you will never mistake the two again.

The album opens with the song âFade,â which should sound very familiar to those who listen to X103 on a regular basis. With this, you get a taste of whatâs to come for the next nine tracks: haunting strings, metal-influenced guitars and drums, and of course, frontwoman Mandy Suiterâs Amy Lee-esque vocals. For their first effort, songs range from those on the more metal end (âOne More Day,â âEverything,â âUndoneâ) to the haunting (âDonât Save Me,â âBleeding For Truth,â and their piano ballad âForever Lullaby.â)

As always, thereâs always a standout track. I almost hate to do this, but I have to award this honor to their cover song.

Now you all know the song âGone Awayâ by The Offspring, an energetic yet somber anthem for anyone who has ever experienced loss. For this rendition, Noctura strips away the drums and distorted guitars in favor of a piano and a backing string section for an end result that canât be described as anything but hauntingly beautiful. Cover songs are very âhit or miss,â and in this case, this one is spot on.

Final verdict?

Will they draw comparisons to Evanescence? Definitely, especially with songs like âGone Awayâ bringing up thoughts of âMy Immortalâ or âDonât Save Meâ sounding like something ripped straight from the b-sides of âFallen.â Yet despite the similaritiesâwhich there will be a few considering Suiter lists them as an early influenceâthis is not a band interested in becoming the next Evanescence. Rather, theyâre more focused on carving their own niche and becoming the first Noctura. With this album, theyâre well on their way. Expect big things from them in the future."