REQUIEM APOCALYPTIQUE

This third solo venture from former Versailles member Guillaume de La Pilière deserves some credit; even if it is somewhat of a mixed effort.

I mean, he calls the album "Requiem Apocalyptique", he plays all the instruments on it himself - and the album is a 45 minutes long epic. And despite some shortcomings in terms of interesting and fascinating moods the composition comes across as just that - a complete piece of work. It could probably have been divided into 10 pieces or so, but it manages to come across as a united rather than an assembled effort; which in itself requires skill and talent.

The opening and closing sequences on the song are the main negatives for my sake; too many swirling guitars and eerie, weird vocal performances makes them unique, certainly innovative but alas also taxing and somewhat grating to the ears as the passages continue on.

However, the mid section and final closing passage, with rich, ominous and threatening moods created are fascinating; and when the more annoying sequences aren't overly long either the end result is an enjoyable creation overall; some weak parts and some strong parts - and enough of the latter to make this one worthwhile investigating for curious prog fans of the kind that doesn't mind some French eccentricity.

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Posted Monday, June 15, 2009 | Review this album | Report (Review #221278)

In the early Nineties I got in touch with Guillaume his exciting guitarwork for the first time when I was listening to Don Giovanni, the second studio-album (from 1992) by his band Versailles. Meanwhile Versailles has made 4 albums (their latest album Blaise Et Benjamin is from 1998), Guillaume ... (read more)

Report this review (#1953942) | Posted by TenYearsAfter | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 | Review Permanlink

I wish I could get into this. The problem, I feel, is that there isn't enough texture or depth to sustain this on for 45 minutes. That isn't to say there aren't moments of inspiration, (in the instrumental sections more often) where the piece of music truly shows some great potential, whereas o ... (read more)

Report this review (#572689) | Posted by Smegcake! | Tuesday, November 22, 2011 | Review Permanlink

As Windhawk has pointed out, this is a french piece, and there is plenty of eccentricity in it. A lot of it is also an instrumental affair, with large breaks of up to 10 minutes between lyrics (which are french). It does work as a single piece, and the talent of Guillaume shows, as he is the sole cr ... (read more)

Report this review (#561967) | Posted by Renkls | Friday, November 4, 2011 | Review Permanlink

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