Black metal is an ever widening and diversifying genre, something that delights me with every new release as it annoys all the gatekeepers who want everyone to sound like something recorded on a kids’ tape recorder in a Norwegian basement in 1993.

One of the newer niches in the current black metal milieu, which I personally have championed since it gained my attention, is Oceanic Black Metal. This is an emerging subgenre where bands focus on themes of the sea, nautical history, shipwrecks or mythologies and legends relating to the mysteries of the sea.

There have been a good few groups establishing the Oceanic Black Metal armada such as Bulgaria’s Vrani Volosa, Britain’s Uzlaga, Ireland’s Atlantic and Antrisch from Germany. But now it appears a French band has emerged as the flagship leading the fleet onto the waves: Houle with their debut release: Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire (Ember Sky and Black Misery).

And where do I begin with this tome of black metal seafaring adventures? Well, you’ll be blown away the moment the dissonant yet melodic riffs kick in with basic yet precision blast beats reflecting how you don’t need to be the most advanced musician to create music that’s extreme and evil on all the right levels.

The opening soundbites of a ship’s radio room will make any keen ship nerd smile, as was the case when I first listened to it – not to mention the beautiful artwork which reminded me of Turner and his numerous depictions of steam and industrial vessels.

It would be best to describe Houle as melodic black metal in the audible output as I was reminded a good deal of Naglfar and fellow French acts Darkenhold and Griffon in places. So far this year the French scene has berthed a strong barrage of catchy black metal albums and Houle stand head and shoulders above the rest.

For anyone who thinks the idea of Oceanic Black Metal is another novelty, just take into account how vicious and deeply horrific this band have made tales of the sea by putting it to some of the darkest music ever concocted. I should note how the 12-minute ending track felt like a symphony that conjured images of a Tudor period fleet sailing into the sunset and the horrors said fleet may encounter.

Houle are a band oozing talent as seen in the beautifully screamed, harsh vocals from singer, Adsagsona. Which, along with the ferocious tremolo picking, jagged guitar solos and drums that sound like a typhoon hitting the bow of a ship, this is a band whom I can see gaining momentum both in their home country and on the international black metal circuit.

For many years, I have felt the mythologies and dark curiosities of the ocean and our nautical histories have not been celebrated in the ranks of the best metal genre of all. Now we see the appreciation and celebration of the mysteries, horrors and esotericism of the waves brought to the black metal table by bands who give it the most beautifully dark representation.

(9.5/10 Demitri Levantis)

https://www.facebook.com/HouleOfficiel

https://ladlo.bandcamp.com/album/ciel-cendre-et-mis-re-noire