NORD

I was had no idea what to expect from a french post metal band, especially a french post metal band with an English name, but spoke french. Anyways the first thing I gathered from this band was: PURE POST METAL! These guys are the most post metal band of any post metal band I've heard: brutal vocals, spacey guitar interludes, primal drumming, soft moments, and absolute blood bath moments. I also noticed that the recording on the vocals was kind of muddy, which was a let down, cause I wanted to hear some french brute scream in french, which would be a new and exciting thing for me, sadly it's hard to even make out a syllable.

Good thing about the album is that it doesnt follow a musical trend that most post metal bands seem to follow, but at the same time the songs are very similar, therefore making the album seem like one long song, which is a very good thing IMO. The album starts on a heavy note, a VERY heavy note, with hardcore-like tendencies to build up, then come to a screeching halt, then brake down with lots of power and emotion, and some times do small interludes with undistorted guitars with delay, drawing on an influence from Cult of Luna no doubt. Towards the middle of the album, the music gets softer, and becomes more instrumental and beautiful, with keyboards letting the music flow, a break amongst the chaos going around. Then it comes back, but in a more sublime way, keyboards now give a backdrop, while the guitars are playing simple power chords, these two elements make the music seem more emotional, making very very fun to listen to.

The first part, very Neurosis influenced with lines upon lines of yelling and screaming with brakes towards the end, repetitive, and not much fun. The second part, sublime, and very smooth, with a constant ebb and flow. The third part powerful and emotional, with the trademark of Isis written all over it. I feel bad for giving the album a three star, maybe upon further listening, I will edit, and give it four, but that first part kills me every time. until then, three stars.