Shred Heaven, Drum Hell
Shattering Eardrums
Sound Apocalypse🎵 Tracklist:
Track 1: Komorebi
Track 2: L’Envol
Track 3: Améthyste
Track 4: Flamme jumelle
Track 5: Réminiscence
Track 6: L’Enfant de la lune (月の子)
Track 7: L’Adieu
🎸 Album Review:
Alcest, the visionary French duo composed of Neige and Winterhalter, has long been known for their unique blend of black metal, shoegaze, and post-rock elements. With their latest offering, ‘Les Chants De L’Aurore’, they continue to push the boundaries of their sound while exploring themes of nature, spirituality, and introspection. Released in 2021, this album serves as a sonic journey through ethereal landscapes and emotional depths.
The opening track, “Komorebi,” sets the tone for the album with its dreamy guitar melodies and Neige’s haunting vocals floating delicately above the shimmering instrumentation. The juxtaposition of black metal influences with shoegaze textures creates a sense of otherworldly beauty that permeates the entire record. The production is lush and atmospheric, immersing the listener in a sonic cocoon of warmth and melancholy.
Standout tracks like “L’Envol” and “Flamme jumelle” showcase Alcest’s ability to seamlessly blend aggression with beauty, as driving rhythms give way to cascading layers of guitars and ethereal harmonies. The interplay between Neige’s harsh screams and clean vocals adds a dynamic element to the music, creating a sense of tension and release that is both cathartic and captivating.
“Améthyste” and “Réminiscence” delve into more introspective territory, with introspective lyrics exploring themes of memory, longing, and transformation. The gentle ebb and flow of the music mirror the emotional journey of the lyrics, drawing the listener into a world of introspection and self-discovery.
One of the most striking tracks on the album is “L’Enfant de la lune (月の子),” a collaboration with Japanese artist Masami Akita, also known as Merzbow. This track combines Alcest’s signature sound with Merzbow’s experimental noise elements, creating a sonic landscape that is both dissonant and hypnotic. The result is a powerful and immersive experience that pushes the boundaries of genre and expectation.
As a whole, ‘Les Chants De L’Aurore’ represents a natural progression for Alcest, building upon the foundation laid by their previous albums while exploring new sonic territories and emotional depths. While their earlier works like ‘Écailles de Lune’ and ‘Kodama’ focused more on the dichotomy between light and darkness, this latest offering feels more introspective and contemplative, delving into the complexities of the human experience.
The album’s closing track, “L’Adieu,” serves as a poignant conclusion to the journey, with its delicate melodies and evocative lyrics leaving a lasting impression. The sense of closure and resolution that permeates this track is a testament to Alcest’s ability to create music that is not only beautiful but also emotionally resonant.
In conclusion, ‘Les Chants De L’Aurore’ is a stunning achievement that showcases Alcest’s continued evolution as artists and their ability to create music that transcends genre boundaries. With its lush production, evocative lyrics, and ethereal soundscapes, this album is a testament to the power of music to transport and transform. Alcest has once again proven themselves to be masters of their craft, creating a work of art that is both captivating and deeply moving.
Dark Symphony
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