In 2007 Anorexia Nervosa came to an end precipitated by the departure if RMS Hreidmarr who has chosen to concentrate on the less symphonic more electronic The CNK.  Seven years later Stephane Bayle picked up his guitar again and gathered a trio of musicians in preparation for a further foray into the world of Black Metal.  Gone were the symphonic sweeps of Anorexia Nervosa but the same dark atmospheres were left intact with Stephane’s vocals and guitar lines alongside those of Migreich offering the expected viciousness.

Having released the E.P “Le Jour se Leve” last year, 2017 see’s the release of the debut full length “Dans le Joie”. It does not disappoint and is well worth the 7 year wait. The corpse paint may have gone but the black spirit still prevails.

This is an album filled with sorrow and melancholy but backed with a defiance that halts any threat of proceedings meandering down the path of DSBM with razor at wrist.  In fact “Contempler l’Ablime” which sits at the middle of this collection is a bona fide rocker. Starting with a melody reminiscent of All About Eve or New Model Army the tortured vocals of Stephane usher in a swooping metal kestrel of a track mixing gothic atmosphere with huge drums provided by Willheim and enough orange squeezing moments to keep the man from Del Monte happy for years.

“La Sang, La Mort, La Chute” which precedes it injects some doom into the veins of the album. Actual impending doom not Sabbath cloning. A feeling of creeping dread is created as Stephane trades his tortured rasps with bassist Cecile G’s clean larynx to great effect.

The title track at 10 minute erupts with razor sharp riffing and bombast before losing its way a little in the middle third. All is not lost though as brutality bursts from its chest like an Alien through John Hurt (R.I.P) to finish at a gallop.  “L’etile Du Matin” (The Morning Star for those that failed French GCSE), has a torch song feel to it and drips with emotion and a nostalgia that transcends rock let alone black metal.

Au Champ Des Mort close with a ballad. “La Fin du Monde” soars clutching a sodden silk handkerchief to its breast with a gargantuan drums to depict the beating heart of the forlorn. It is a fitting ending to an emotional rollercoaster of a release.

Au Champ Des Morts have created a delightful mix of brutality and pathos within which some of the flowers are rotting but the garden remains fragrant. Ha look at me poncing it up!

(7/10 Matt Mason) 

https://www.facebook.com/Au-Champ-Des-Morts-1061663760580553

https://dmp666.bandcamp.com/album/dans-la-joie