This is the third album release by Québec-based Acédia in their eleven years of existence. The fact that they produce black metal is no surprise, given the pedigree of the region in this genre, but Acédia are known for the experimental and progressive edge to their music.
It all starts with “La Fosse” (The Pit) and a grey, merciless riff becoming distorted and cleverly playing tricks with the mind. As the music is breaking down, harsh vocals and a black metal soundscape mix together. It all points to disorder and chaos as the distortion becomes more pronounced and part of the song. It’s a genius combination. The world couldn’t be more disparate or grey as the song progresses in its peculiar way. Yet it somehow manages to have a lofty quality about it, as if the artist is looking down on us and is indifferent to our disorientation. The style is not a one-off as “Mont Obscur” (Dark Mountain) starts in the same vein, moving along breezily with its unconventional structure and punctuated with ferocious black metal sections. It’s like an unstoppable force.
The title track then plunges into further murkiness. It’s now taken on a more sinister and atmospheric edge. Thunderous drums and vocals are at the centre. “L’Art de Pourrir” (The Art of Rotting) is a discordant, violent, destructive piece of black metal anarchy. The Art of Chaos might be more fitting. Davide Tiso of Ephel Duath would appreciate the discordant guitar work but the context is different as the world is not only grey, but actively falling apart around us. Frantic black metal drumming feature on “L’Inconnu” (The Unknown). The familiar flamboyant distorted guitar riff is presence. This goes on at a breathless pace. “Brûlure du Temps” (Burning of Time) starts off almost with a majestic air, but the usual hostilities resume while that sneering guitar meanders everywhere, and the vocalist roars. The ferocity and dissonance all lead to the same place: a world full of rage and destruction.
The ambience of “Fracture” is dominant and stifling. We are taken out of our comfort zone by the relentless black metal, with a memorable guitar line to drive it along and a deliberate dissonance to keep us alert and instil psychological disturbance. This is not an album for the faint-hearted. It is an album which sets out the darkest of atmospheres and seeks to overwhelm us with them.
(8/10 Andrew Doherty)
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