The debut EP from Parisian Black Metal band Houle has deeply enigmatic artwork that draws you in without a note being played. The band’s music tells the story of mankind’s never ending struggle with the forces of nature around us, in particular the ocean. Houle has collaborated with label Les Acteurs de L’Ombre Productions, who have an already highly impressive roster.
Opening to the sound of seagulls soaring and the crashing of the waves onto a shoreline, Houle ease themselves into slow Melodic Black Metal with a heavy bass signature and interesting guitar leads, before unleashing into faster paced blast beat drive riffs and harsh vocal work. It would be a fairly standard and uninspired style but the guitar rhythms are fairly intoxicating and lead to moments of slower melody in which the technical flair of the guitarist asserts its dominance.
Houle strives to create an intensity that reflects their subject matter and in this they succeed. As the EP grinds forward the intricate nature of the melodies start to rise to the surface through an abundance of winding guitar leads, whilst the surging ocean spray that sounds out between each song is a great reminder of the sheer raw power of nature.
Houle are also capable of sheer raw power, as second track ‘Au Loin La Tempête’ proves through the use of blistering blast beat fury, more savage vocal work and an emphasis on dominant riffs, all before the band’s melodic overtones kick back into play. It’s here that the vocal stylings of Houle increase in intensity from savage to outright anguished. There is a bleakness about them which adds another layer to this already deep pool of thought and emotion.
Very listenable is this self-titled EP, and as its journey progresses so too do the intricacies and variations of sound used by Houle. It will be interesting to see if the band releases anything else nature inspired whilst moving away from the ocean-based imagery.
(7.5/10 Marksson)
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