A new outfit but seasoned ghouls and gargoyles gathered together here for some Grand-Guignol blackness and a touch of the grandiose. With members past and present from the likes of Hyrgal, BÂ’A, Seth, Glaciation, Anorexia Nervosa and Diablation (whose Irreverent new album I am looking forward to at the end of Sept), this should have lovers of the French symphonic underground salivating. We are informed that this was recorded live on rehearsal but this should not put you off as it sounds great and illustrates cohesive ideas from the seasoned professionals behind things. One thing that I would be remiss in not mentioning, is that despite being referred to as a debut album the five tracks have a combined running time of just 25-minutes so you should be aware of this and take its status with a pinch of grave-dirt.

With a mystical title apparently translating to ‘In Front Of The Stargate’ the portal opens with eerie wind-whistling, instrumental ‘Parvens’ complete with celestial choral work and slow drum-beat. Building with orchestral flair ‘France de l’Ombre’ hones in with savage percussion and a raw scream courtesy of the ever-reliable RMS Hreidmarr. Naturally it is all in native language but verse is delivered with indignant expression and ravenous intent, leaping out the speakers with venomous force as guitar blazes away like a tumultuous whirlwind. Atmospheric spoken parts add to the mystery as the track settles to a mid-paced furrow and there’s lot’s going on to capture the listener’s attention. ‘Ordo Opera Cultura’ ups the ante and goes for the throat with bloodthirsty cruelty at its heart. No surprise this was picked as an introduction to announce the band as the swaggering force is certainly an attention grabber and ensures that those encountering it will sit up in their coffins and get their teeth well and truly struck into it. Similarly, ‘Aux Chiens’ feeds us to the dogs and follows with barely a pause and giving no respite to the leaden fury on display.

All us non-French speakers really have to go on are mentions of “sacred places” and “cosmic architecture.” Full translation and narrative ideas will all have to be part of these keys to creative forces. “The cosmos is a revolving door” we are told and here it sounds like it is attempting to tear itself apart on the seething, lead-lined ‘Granit.’ The veritable tempest does calm fittingly for final number ‘Gravenoire’ itself. The orchestral and classical take over with what sounds like woodwind over a calm spoken word piece before moving into a dark piano etched sonata. Brevity aside this is a solid introductory shot from the shadowlands of France, which should leave you hungering for more.

(7.5/10 Pete Woods)

https://www.facebook.com/p/GraveNoire-61553036631501

https://gravenoireofficial.bandcamp.com/album/devant-la-porte-des-etoiles