DE MUTATION EN MUTATION

This was DOLOROSA's debut from 2006. This French duo had released an EP in 2004 and half of the songs on this album feature those 6 songs. I fell in love with their second album called "Het!" from 2012 but this is quite different from that masterpiece. Vocals are pretty much spoken throughout this album and there's lots of them singing in French. No drums but lots of percussion and guitar, this is quite rhythmic. We get an exotic instrument called a xaphoon on a few tracks which I like. Unfortunately the first half of the album does little for me but a strong second half brings this up to 3 1/2 stars in my opinion.

"De Mutation En Mutation" reminds me of an 80's song I can't think of but this starts with percussion and more as the bass joins in then guitar. Almost spoken vocals follow. They will come and go. Not a bad start. "Les Fantomes" from the EP opens with xaphoon with percussion and guitar. Very relaxed as soft spoken vocals join in. The xaphoon leaves quickly but is back at 2 1/2 minutes as the vocals stop to the end. "En Sommeil" also from the EP has some in your face guitar that comes and goes before it all settles in with reserved vocals and more. I like the guitar after 3 minutes.

"Bien Au Coeur" has acoustic guitar to start before percussion and bass join in. Electric guitar too and it's quite relaxed as spoken vocals join in. Some angular guitar takes over but it's still laid back then the electric guitar from earlier returns to end it. "Dans Le Fond" from the EP has outbursts of sound and the vocals come and go until it settles in with buzzing guitar. "Lllimite" is my least favourite. I get annoyed with the repetitive guitar as well as with the spoken vocals here.

"Spirale" begins a series of tracks I like. Picked guitar as whispered vocals join in. Percussion is next as it builds then stays repetitive. This reminds me of the second album and it's my favourite. "Le Cervelle I" is a slow trippy piece with outbursts of guitar until the vocals arrive. Spoken vocals follow with strummed guitar and percussion. Electric guitar lets it rip then themes are repeated. Great sounding track. "Le Cervelle II" is percussion only at first but a full sound with vocals arrives quickly. Xaphoon too and it will be prominent. Vocals are sparse and distant then they become almost chants.

"Eldolon" has plenty of depth as the vocals join in and he's actually singing. I like this one. "Guerilla" has guitar, percussion and determined vocals. This is from the EP and it's excellent. "Cor Ne Edito" ends it with picked guitar and spoken vocals at first before percussion, vocals and a steady sound take over. I like the ending without vocals as electric guitar, percussion and tin flute end it.

So it was good to hear their beginnings but I'll treasure that 2012 release. This is worth checking out for sure.