Back in 2018 Aorlhac culminated their “windy” trilogy of releases with L’esprit des vents. Having only caught the tail end of this gust, to say I was blown away would not be an understatement. Now these French brigands move on and concentrate on the ‘fire’ with the ‘Burnt Stones’ of ‘Pierres brûlées’ and as they unleash the ‘Wrath of the Volcano’ you best run as the flaming lava is going to be licking at your heels every step of the way for the duration of this relentless album. Very much part of Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions fantastically created roster of French pagan black metal bands along with the likes of Darkenhold and Griffon who scored highly in my personal best of albums of 2020, Aorlhac really are at the top of their game. The quartet also play in bands such as An Norvys, Astaroth, Himinbjorg, Jours Pâles, Eternal and Lyrside among others but put them together and their prowess and performance is second to none.
Having been dormant for a few years they are obviously more than ready for the cork to pop off the top of their volcano which erupts in explosive style. Some medieval twisting guitar wraps itself around the percussive might in feudal style and Spellbound already so impressive on Jours Pâles ‘Éclosion’ earlier this year absolutely roars his vocals from the rooftops as it were as the magma streams down from the mountain. After such a formidable opening many a band would rest on their laurels a bit and temper the onslaught down but the album builds up from this mighty assault gradually through its nine devastating tracks only pausing slightly with an acoustic instrumental just over the half way mark.
Blood curdling roars, rasps and bellicose laughs are unleashed by the singer and drummer K.H. blasts, rolls and clatters the cymbals like a man possessed. Twin guitars from NKS, Wÿntër Ärvn lick the flames with a vigorous thorny precision and throw in some occasional metal crescendos into the melee and the combination is nothing short of glorious. There’s bursts of folk laden stomping that bounces about like mad but nothing slows down and the pace and mood are completely vitriolic making this such an enjoyable and relentless experience that it is impossible not to feel charged and invigorated. Seriously, although I have had to listen to this intensively since it turned up for reviewing purposes it is going to be played on special occasions when I fancy a particularly volatile pick-up as the energy here is nothing short of life-affirming.
I’m sure there is a narrative here but the Occitan clan recount it in French and to be honest I have been so busy enjoying the actual music I haven’t delved deeper yet. Translating track titles gives us the likes of ‘Twenty Sieges, One Hundred Assaults’ which has a full-on swaggering battle clamour behind it, the counter attack revolt of ‘Our Desperate Hamlets’ and my favourite track of all (if forced to pick one) ‘The Slave War,’ which somehow implausibly ups the tempo to an absolute crescendo.
I was completely floored earlier in the year by my 1st exposure to French pagan folk devils Hanternoz and once I can stop playing this particular album, I will be moving on to the affiliated Paydretz with plenty of anticipation. One thing is guaranteed and there is going to be a Gallic battle for the top album spot this year. Quelle ruée absolue, this is nothing short of essential!
(9.5/10 Pete Woods)
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