Not acquainted with this particular facet of the Metal Noir Quebecois scene, but with a member of Forteresse and another live member in their ranks, and a label like Eisenwald behind them and a theme of being driven from society and embracing the wilds and madness (I believe) it already sets the scene well.
‘Le Ravissement’ doesn’t disappoint either, straight into a chilling and wild riff with characteristic keening guitar melody. The vocals are deep, excellent and full of anger and passion. It has the feel of a storm, something ripping you out of your world, flinging you asie. ‘Fuir’ follows straight on, a headlong flight into the bleak landscape, plunging into primal forests and the savage beauty of such a world. Add in a neat production and it is an absolutely perfect way to rip you from this world into theirs. The pace is strong, bringing a real sense of urgency to the album and not giving you a moment to collect your thoughts as even the slower parts seem more delirium and confusion than contemplation.
‘Rivieres Rompues’ has a little of that Sargeist style to the melody and the huge drumming, but those epic vocals and little trills of melody keep it very much Cantique Lépreux.
The album seems to gently and subtly find a slightly calmer pace, drawing the atmosphere closer and it gives me more of a sense of isolation, the harsh vocals either echoing inner confusion and shifting of shapes or the land itself. Or both. Who knows?
We pass through ‘Par la gueule des fantômes’ in a rush that somehow following on from the previous track ‘Archétypes’ has loosened the grip the album has on me. It’s a little disconcerting to be honest as I go back and restart them and again they kind of slide between the folds of my mind a little. ‘Le rêve primordial’ has a little of that post-black sound to it for me but thankfully, not being a fan, digs deep and finds its claws in a flurry of cries and drums.
We close with ‘Consécration’ which certainly has a fierceness to it and an excellent melodic tone to it. There is, for me, a touch of the triumphant to it, albeit the feel of a small and personal one but not knowing the exact thematic tale here I could be far from the mark.
What I am sure about though is that this is a very accomplished album. It is clearly deeply felt and born from a true passion. It has a message to share and a voice to be heard. I’m, not going to deny that despite repeated tries it slips away from me in that middle section but ends with a renewed blaze.
Well worth checking out if the Quebec scene or Eisenwald’s approach appeals as it is a deeply felt piece of art indeed.
(7/10 Gizmo)
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