Alcest

I'm posting about this band because I want everyone to enjoy them/him as much as I do. I don't even really know how to describe it. This man's music is easily accessible and enjoyable to anyone who likes things that sound good, plain and simple.

You can't say "only people into obscure black metal or shoegaze like this", because...it's not too out there, it's not too harsh EVER (the vocals are 80/20 % clean sung on every record after the demo and 100% clean on the new record, Shelter), the guitars are brilliantly rich, full of clarity and ambiance and the lengths of the songs...rather than dragging on, leave you savoring every note and wanting more. I can't even decide which one of Alcest's records I like more. Shelter has so many different hints of influence from different bands and styles of music.

But, so did "Les Voyages de l'Âme", with its subtle hints of Smashing Pumpkins & Sigur Ros, while still having heavy drumming and the occasional black metal riff and vocal. The black metallic undertones could be compared to a more melodic/primitive Taake.

"Shelter" sees Neige completely transitioning to a powerhouse of shoegaze/rock/pop that I could see being performed in front of countless amounts of people, mesmerizing everyone in the room. If you close your eyes (without falling asleep), each composition of every song on this record serves more as a passage into auditory bliss, rather than just someone fiddling out another pretentiously overdone shoegaze record. This record is more of a euphorically mystifying experience of the mind and imagination than a listening session.

So, like I was saying, you don't have to be a fan of black metal or just a fan of shoegaze or chill-out music to enjoy this man's music. Do yourself a favor and just listen to these two records and you'll thank me later.

Au cessus de nos têtes, tournoyants.

http://www18.zippyshare.com/v/9823048/file.html

Paracletus (2010)

Black metal is a very distinguished, elite and downright snooty subgenre of metal. Many elitist black metal fans have their opinions on what is and isn't considered true black metal. I, honestly, could not give a damn if something is considered "true" or if it's considered sell-out bullshit. I think most black metal warriors can unanimously agree that Deathspell Omega is a great band, plain and simple.

They've been kind of a chameleon as far as styles, starting their existence off as a great, traditional style black metal band, drawing a great deal of inspiration from Norwegian pioneers, like Bathory & Darkthrone. Later on, it's almost as if they all got struck by lightning during a band practice and these crazy random songs just came out of nowhere.

The songs I'm referring to are on my favorite of their records, Paracletus. Now, I have no idea if they had a lineup change anywhere in their career, because they keep their identities anonymous, but it's almost as if the band's chief songwriters got completely replaced. I loved their older stuff, but holy shit, this record....How do I describe it?.....It's basically like....being in a catatonic stage, awake, but asleep, trapped in your own mind, spiraling and twisting out of control into a vortex of destruction. I would compare this album to an audial illustration of organized chaos, choreographed Armageddon, etc. The music makes almost no sense, but makes complete sense, at the same time. This is a very unconventional black metal band, yes, but, still black metal nonetheless. This record...hurts.

This congregation was cast out of humanity.

Ominous Doctrines of the Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm (2011)

 

Let me just start off by saying one thing,

If you're turned off this band because you don't like the vocals you're posing. Straight up.

You're Hot Topic fodder and should go back to listening to whatever the fuck Dimmu Borgir is churning out these days. Sorry man, I don't make the rules. Maybe it's time to quit listening to those fur-wearing fuckwads and get with the program.

Where was I? Oh yea, the Omnious Doctrines...

Easily my favorite USBM band (by way of Colombia), Inquisition truly is a thing of unholy beauty. Every single record that they have ever crafted is majestic and evil. Pummeling riffs come together with beautiful melodies to create some of the most entrancing hymns for the Dark Lord that you'll ever hear in your pitiful life.

Dagon's voice is probably one of the most polarizing in the world of extreme metal. Undeniably influenced by Immortal, he has since developed his very own style that almost resembles the crooning of a raven. Frankly, to me it's baffling how he is able to sing, absolutely shred, and remember the multitude of verses that is every single one of their songs all at the same time. But somehow he not only pulls it off, but kills it in a live setting as well; as anyone who has ever had the pleasure of attending one of their ceremonies can attest to.

Every single Inquisition record is worth checking out. I might be posting more later, (their newest absolute beast of an album deserves its very own post) but in the meantime I leave you with what just might be my favorite battle-axe in their ungodly arsenal. For the initiated, this is a real slab of anti-cosmic, left-handed path gnosis in all its Thursatruan glory.

Astral Path To Supreme Majesties