�CAILLES DE LUNE

Alcest

Experimental/Post Metal

4.00 | 306 ratings

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jammun
Prog Reviewer

Funny how differently we hear these albums, isn't it?

I'm old. Frankly, on a good day I don't know much about metal, except that the last Metallica album sucked (whichever one it was) when it was released and will continue to do so well into the next decade. I don't even know if metal still exists. I don't even know what metal is, but here is Alcest, for me anyway out of the blue. There is that Tool, and that Mars Volta, both of whom seem to know a thing or two about the metal genres, though as said I am old and am living on fumes. And then there is Alcest again, which I suppose wIth this album can be mentioned in at least my same breath with those bands, because they seem to understand a thing or two about music and power chords and emotion to be derived from said chords. There's times of hide the women and children, and times of sleep little baby don't you cry, sometimes within the same song.

Understand, I am a sucker for songs of massive guitars and lyrics, even when I have no hope of comprehending the language, provided I knew it in the first place. If it makes a horrible and beautiful noise, and if it is melodic, I can usually find a place for it in my heart. Thus Ecailles De Lune. The beast rocks and caresses.

I know, I am supposed to tell you why this is good, but it's a hard road. The production sucks. The drums and bass are usually buried in the mix, when it could have been so much better. Granted, the walls of guitars and vocals are right up there, and during quiet passages there is almost an equitable balance. And yet. And yet.

And yet. The noise is so loud. The melodicism is so good. The guitars chime fine. The vocals ride over it all gently or, ahem, with assertion, as fits each song. I loved this album on first listen. Take that as you will, either pap for the masses or a near classic.

It's too bad Sur L'Ocean Couleur De Fer Never takes off...it would have been a remarkable parting show. But that title tune (Part 1 and 2) will rattled my balls seriously.

jammun | 4/5 | 2011-12-2

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