This French four-piece has been in existence for well over a decade, releasing three evolving takes on the progressive death genre along the way. Making ever greater steps forward, ‘Back to Where You’ve Never Been’ is an album which their new label, Indie Recordings, describe as marking a ‘transitional phase’ in the band’s career. Perhaps more significantly than this however is the change in personnel – with original vocalist Samuel Bourreau departing the scene, and album number four also marking the first recorded output from the band without drummer Olivier Laffond.
The album gradually takes shape with an ethereal opening section and some very tight, jazzy beats courtesy of the new drummer, Florent Marcadet. In keeping with this smooth start, Luiss Roux’s vocals make an exceptionally clean introduction, for a moment or two reminding me of some of the more progressive leanings of Akercocke. When the heaviness does arrive, Roux reveals more of a hardcore form than Bourreau’s previous Dolving-like approach. The opener really sets out the stall of Hacride in 2013, as highly controlled and impeccably delivered prog conventions are contrasted with brooding anger. In the latter respect the likes of Neurosis and (new label mates) Cult Of Luna spring to mind, from what brief recollection I have of them. And as the record progresses, so too does the music with warm tones, clean vocals and synth becoming as much the order of the day as anything else. With such a mix of ingredients, it’s easy to envisage more people liking this than, say, Atheist.
Which brings me neatly (or possibly not) onto the subject of ‘progressive death’. To label Hacride as such on ‘Back to Where You’ve Never Been’ would border on false advertising. It certainly lives up to that progressive element. But death? Not to these ears. Instead, it’s more of a ‘heavy progressive’, as assorted angular hooks and grooves mix in with emotional outpourings and some musical acrobatics. Boasting such a diverse spirit as they do, it seems fair to assume that such pigeon-holes are an irrelevance to the band anyway. By virtue of this, names such as Tool, Mastodon and Meshuggah variously transcend from the scenes created by them. Perhaps the single styling which leaps out most at me though is that on ‘Requiem for a Lullaby’, which – rather conspicuously to my mind – briefly attempts an Alice In Chains, with Layne vocals and all. In keeping with the general vibe, more of those tentative, almost static sounding prog moves wind the experience down.
As you may have detected, this really isn’t my cup of tea. By extension, I am sure that this review will not have done justice to the band or actual fans of progressive and heavier (rather than deathly) forms of music. For all of you with such inclinations, or indeed a mind more open than myself, step aboard! The chances are that you will appreciate ‘Back to Where You’ve Never Been’ very much indeed. While I can certainly recognise Hacride’s ambition and talent, personally, their current style is just not my thing.
(6.5/10 Jamie Wilson)
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