ÉCAILLES DE LUNE

Combining elements of Post Metal, Death Metal, Ambient parts (low quantity) and Melodic background, this album is currently number one in ProgArchives 2010 chart. These are things that I considered when I began to be interested in this record. Let's forget formal ways of reviewing and let's get devoured by feelings this brings.

Relatively short, just 41 minutes (like in times of vinyl), beautiful artwork (I can't personally imagine anyone who won't like this one). Given that I'm not that devoted Metal fan, I suppose that I will probably like this album less than Metalhead. Fine enough, this hopefully doesn't cripple me (much).

As someone with love/hate Black Metal relationship, I have to say that sometimes this element is too prominent (too much), but of course, those who love this will be pleased. I'm not, but at the same time I'm awed so much as I expected. Last song is beautiful, somehow "soft", don't expect thunderds and lightings, but rather some kind of Post Rock ballad in vein of the best P/ R artists.

3(+), solid mix of connected elements

EDIT June 2010 - After a while, it's getting a little bit dull. Atmospheric, but not so rich in what it offers. Music meant to feel, not just listen.

While the "shoegaze" and "death metal" labels are understandable with regards to "Écailles de lune," there is a lot more to this music. There is a "freshness" to the styles Neige has combined in this album. While neither song structures nor instrumental variety and virtuosity are very special here--and the songs do sometimes get a bit . . . monotonous--there is still enough here to keep me smiling (growl vocals en francais!), and keep me pushing "replay" again and again. Good but not essential. Four stars because it keeps me coming back and because the album is consistently good, start to finish. Try it: You might like it!

Alcest combines UK shoegazer pop with atmospheric Black Metal. That may sound like the most unlikely marriage ever, but actually it's not the first time it was tried. Ulver made the same combination on their debut 15 years ago. And the result was equally successful.

Black Metal has an inherent tendency for developing thick atmospheres; it's one of the things that sets it apart from Death Metal which concentrates more on musical technicality. Plenty of Black Metal bands can be named that combine their harsh aggression with ambient dreamy music, next to Ulver, Agalloch must sure be mentioned as an outstanding example of that combination. In case of Alcest the atmospheric mix is pervaded with a Floydian spacey-ness.

So, the people allergic to Brit-pop are warned, but still shouldn't discard this album completely. The pop and emo factor is non-existing here. This is very lush and magical music, just like My Bloody Valentine, Pale Saints and Lush used to be. Both clean vocals and Black Metal shrieks are used and both are a perfect fit for the eerie atmosphere created here.

Ecailles De Lune is a very good album that may appeal to goth, shoegazer and atmospheric metal fans alike.

7/10

"Ecailles De Lune" is a dreamy, blurry album that could be easily one of the best of 2010.

French Black Metal band Alcest releases in 2010 their second album, most definitely one of the best of the year. Sublime, intriguing, and beautiful, a certainly a great black metal album , quite original and unusual, and with an enigmatic and dreamy touch, which sometimes incarnates shoegaze.

There aren't too many Black metal growls, in fact only two of these six songs present them, so Experimental Metal seems like the perfect subgenre for Ecailles De Lune. Like I previously said, all the songs are full of enigmatic atmospheres, thanks to the dreamy guitar that gently plays, a perfect nocturnal atmosphere. We also in some moments can find many shoegazing, maybe not as strong and noisy as traditional bands of the genre, but still present.

The title track is divided into two parts, the first one more dreamy and melodic, the second more violent, so it presents growl vocals, even though there is still a big sense of haziness. Percees de Lumiere is my least favorite, kind of strong, even though still the style is the same. after the beautiful interlude, Solar Song kicks in. this is most definitely the song with most shoegazing influences. The melodies is catchy and haunting, the vocals are clean and beautiful, the guitars enigmatic. Fabulous song.

The last track is another wonderful masterpiece. There are no drums in this piece, so you can imagine how calm and relaxing, but at the same time haunting the atmosphere is.

In conclusion, an album that really moved me, a must listen for anyone who is interested in black metal or Experimental metal.

'Ã?cailles De Lune' - Alcest (9/10)

Throughout post-metal circles, the name of Alcest has been one that is chatted back and forth alot lately. A French one man black metal project that incorperates the starkly mellow and ethereal sounds of shoegaze psychedelia, this band has become one of the more highly regarded bands in the genre, even after only two records produced. With frontman Neige's second effort with this solo project, the sound of Alcest becomes more defined, and what we have with 'Ã?cailles De Lune' is a beautiful piece of emotionally stirring music that carries quite a bit more emotion that your typical heavy metal record.

In a sense, it may be unfair to consider this album 'metal,' the energy generally infused with the genre is sacrificed for a much more introspective sound. While there are maybe one or two sections throughout the album that make liberal use of blastbeats and Neige's high pitched shriek, 'Ã?cailles De Lune' relies very heavily on it's mellowness and quiet beauty. The main focus of the music is on the beautiful textures of the guitar work, and Neige's clean vocal work, which may sound a bit too fragile for some, but works with the emotionally vulnerable mood of the music.

The first half of the album is dominated by the two part title track, 'Ã?cailles De Lune.' While the first two songs here share the same name, they can generally be considered separate compositions. They do, however make up the heaviest and darkest component of 'Ã?cailles De Lune,' and maintain a clear distinction from the rest of the album. The best moments on the album are when Neige takes things to their most mellow and beautiful; the latter half of 'Ecailles De Lune II' and the absolutely blissful closer 'Sur L'Ocean Couleur De Fer' make use of both the tastefully spacy guitarwork and the higher-key vocal work. While the lyrics here are in French and cannot be understand merely from listening, the lyrics have a very poetic resonance to them, and carry well with the ethereal nature of the album.

The album keeps a generally dark, melancholic sound throughout. The only exception to this is the uncharacteristically cheerful and upbeat 'Solar Song,' which is really the only moment on the album that feels out of place, despite it being a decent alternative rocker. Barring that, 'Ã?cailles De Lune' is an incredibly moving and beautiful release. The brooding nature of the music can wear thin at times, but there's no doubt that Neige is a talented and distinguished member of the post-metal scene. A perfect album to listen to at night.

"Écailles de lune" continues the development of visions presented in Alcest's earlier records, and now in my own opinion reaches the total climax in success. The record has thematic references to melodies from previous album "Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde", and when compared to that and other earlier records I have heard, there are little lesser musical content implemented to the compositions and arrangements. This observation enhances in my opinion the end result, as there is more space to focus on mood creation and reaching most solid conceptual entity, at least from the view point of personal taste. Most shamelessly romantic and sinister heavy metal sequences are united with intelligence, logic and fine aesthetical insight. The ethereal calmness and more dynamic adventuring in the spheres of the dreams require tolerance for black metal sounds, which are introduced only after longer prolific studies of softer sounds on the title suite. This heavier side is emphasized then longer, until later soothing to very calm sequences. I was lucky to get myself a neat vinyl copy of this album, and B-side starts with a track which fusions more tamer hardrock-chord driven melodics to more aggressive screaming lyrics in an interesting way, creating convincing fusion of contrasts. The different singing styles brought to me associations of different characters telling these dreamy tales in French language, which I admit i fail to comprehend. The music rolls then again back to softer territories and contains some very powerful melody theme sequences, later dissolving to abstract landscapes of sounds. Heavier riffs are then implemented to slow rhythm tempos and euphoric tender lyrical themes. The end of the album is coronized with one of the most romantic melodic songs, having minimal instrumental and compositional elements, balancing slightly between minor and major chords, and successfully emphasizing the end dramatics of this album. The sound quality on the album was really fine, and from the instruments I noted paying attention to the bass guitar, which has soft tones and is mixed on front in several occasions, driving forth both rhythm and melody progression in pleasant manner. I would recommend this compact piece of art for candlelit moody nights, preferably spent with your most precious companion. I had also an opportunity to see the band on stage here in Finland, as part of a tour for this lovely album.

Intoxicating.

Now a days, I tend to find less and less truly 5 star albums. I've widdled my rating process from 5 stars if it's "great" to 5 stars if it's genius. I need to be wowed first time through, and continue to be wowed each other time true. Écalles de Lune, Alcest's sophomore effort, is no doubt one of these cases. Encompassed by breathtaking melody and dazzling aggression, the album shows the side of "black metal" that caters to those who don't particularly care for ice-cold ferocity and never ending riffs and blast beats. The album contains a tender innocence known to very few albums. Now, to fuse black metal and virtually any other genre is a risky business, often ending in an awkward and noise abusing experience. Alcest, however, has deftly maneuvered around this daunting prospect and pulled off by far my favorite black metal album yet to be released.

The title track (translated as Moon Scales, or something like that) blasts forth with a somber shoegaze riff not of this realm. I have never really been a huge fan of shoegaze or post-rock, but this is certainly one exception, along with Sigur Rós's Ágætis Byrjun. The 18 minute epic is an exciting journey, expertly fusing in divine transitions mellow guitar passages with thrusting black metal riffing, skipping any of the uncertainties of black fusion. Both parts contain a truly celestial aura, feeding any who thirst for that perfect blend of..... well a perfect blend of pretty much everything. As I found on maudlin of the Well's Part the Second, the music is so perfectly crafted it seems that very little could ever surpass it in it's unprecedented grandeur. Not lacking metal in any sense, this amazing two part track is, well, perfect, in virtually every way.

Percées de Lumière continues this incredible string of pure music, although with a more popularly leaning guitar melodies and shoegaze feels. However, the track still encompasses the essential things that I love about music.... all of them. The song, which has a much harder rocking feel than the previous two (or one, whatever floats your boat). It keeps a constant rockability to it with less spacing out (which isn't a bad thing at all). Overall, the track is again a masterpiece of black fusion.

Abysses is a somber atmospheric ambient piece, making a very mellow and haunting transition to the next track.

Solar Song is again much more popularly leaning, or as far popularly leaning a genre such as this could possible lean. It has very accessible melodies while at the same time retaining the amazing sense of experimentation and shoegaze mastery put into the album. Overall, this tracks is yet another fantastic track on this masterpiece of an album.

Sur l'Océan Couleur de Fer is another very somber and mellow track, with much less rockable black riffing and more melodic guitar work and great vocal melodies also. The track functions as a beautiful guitar solo by Neige. It ends the album on an uplifting and symphonic note, slowly graduating through boughs of ecstasy and bursts of joy. Overall, this is another one of the greats on the album, ending one of my new favorite albums of all time and a pure masterpiece.

ALBUM OVERALL: I don't think I can really say very much more. I've looked. I can find nothing wrong with this album, perhaps maybe popularly leaning melodies in some songs, which can easily be seen as good. The album is as some people call an "eargasm;" the first time I listened to it's pearly sounds my ears did nearly hum in a joyous celebration that another life form has in fact made a great masterpiece of modern art -- celebration to the minds of humanity! Truly, this album touches my heart and my mind in a most divine way, making this an instant classic in my log of insta-classics. 5+ stars.

This is a treat to the ears, it really is.

Very rarely do I hear albums that have a particular sound to them that make me really want to replay them over and over again just wanting to delve deeper into that sound that I hear. That's what this album does, it's a multi-layered, textural, and groundbreaking post metal masterpiece.

It contains that certain quality that I love about post rock and post metal recordings, an atmospherically dark and epic sound, and that makes me love it as much as I do. I have replayed it numerous times since first listening and each listen seemingly has more reward for me.

A truly great album that has a certain sound that I've found hard to come accross anymore. I love every second of it.

Sets the Scene but Tells No Story

Alcest's ECAILLES DE LUNE sits in the atmospheric black metal / shoegaze / post-rock genre intersection that seems to be gaining a following recently. As a fan of goth rock, a sound that shares the dark melancholic ethic with this style, I should be a good audience. Instead, this music leaves me pretty bored. It's well done for what it is. Production is solid, performances professional. The singing ranges from soft crooning to a reasonably palatable black goblinvoice. Guitars are mostly clean with some moderately distorted tremolo strumming. There's really little "metal" other than the harsh vocals. The music does evoke some variety of depressive moods, but it's as if we're reading a book that establishes a chilly fall setting along a rocky coast, and then the characters just wander along the water bemoaning some lost love. Call me old fashioned, but I need something to happen.

Every time I listen to this album, the opening guitars grab my attention and then my mind wanders until "Solar Song" hits. At this point, there's actually some melody and just a hint of sweetness in the mood. The multiple layers interweave (a little) and my musician's ear starts to play with the threads of sound for a short time. It's not a brilliant piece, but it's the closest thing to a song rather than a soundscape on the album. The final track, while extremely pretty, reverts to the rather indistinct mist-wandering.

Finally, I'd like to mention that in no way do I consider this prog. While genre hopping certainly is a component of some progressive music, not every artist who brings in a musical element from one genre to one where it wasn't before is prog. Here that element is a small bit of goblinvoice. Other than that it's competently rendered atmospheric, depressive rock. 2.5/5 rounded down because it's not prog and I'm grouchy.

Keystone three star album; it's no worse than good, but not a must-have.

Yes, it is very post-metal that does its job well, but the way I feel about this Alcest project is this; it follows every ''proper'' protocol of the post-metal genre in the metal, post-rock and shoegazing qualities, but it does not stand out because simply put, it's just good. There are some parts of the album that blow me away, nothing makes me cringe, but a lot of the stuff here is what I would call ''relatively vacuous''.

I still love the second part of that ninteen minute title track and especially ''Solar Song'', and they're two of the main reasons why I give three stars in the first place. And I really enjoy the overall tone of the album; melancholically dark. But I honestly feel that ECAILLES DE LUNE is nothing special, so I won't say much more. If you're a fan of the genre, you could use this in your collection; if not, no harm done. I hope Neige releases more albums in the future to prove me wrong or get me excited, but right now I am not fully enveloped by this.

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.

Quietly, and without much fanfare, metal makes its way back into Alcest's sound on Écailles de Lune after taking a little sabbatical on Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde. On the whole I would say the style of the band still leans more towards shoegaze and post-rock than towards metal on this release - I think most listeners will agree that it's more shoegaze with occasional influences from and detours into black metal territory rather than black metal with shoegaze influences - but it's still enough of an advance in the band's sound to be noteworthy and to save the album from being a re-run of Souvenirs, though not necessarily enough to feel satisfying on repeat listens.

ALCEST is a band from France or more accurately the project of one guy called Neige. He plays all the instruments except for the drums. Apparently the music he makes has developed over the years eventually becoming a vehicle for him to express his most personal feeling that often can't be put into words. Man this is a gorgeous album, and if your like me and can really appreciate the beauty in melancholic music then chances are you will love this one.

"Ecailles De Lune(Part One)" opens with strummed guitar then it kicks in with a very gothic feel to it. Vocals a minute in are in French and this is all so moving, especially a minute later when the music seems to rise another level in a Post- Rock style. A calm after 3 minutes as the contrasts continue. Simply breath-taking. It's hard to express but it's like I was familiar with the music here before I even heard it. By the way parts one and two of this title track make up almost 20 minutes and almost half of this record. "Ecailles De Lune(Part Two)" opens with the sounds of waves and picked guitar. It kicks in hard before a minute. Raspy vocals before 2 minutes as he screams out from his very soul. A calm before 5 minutes with picked guitar as reserved vocals join in. It picks up some. Man this sounds so good. Another calm 7 minutes in as it stays laid back to the end.

"Percees De Lumiere" sounds great with the grinding guitars and steady beat. Raspy vocals join in as they continue to rip it up. Clean vocals before 3 minutes then it all settles back a minute later without vocals. Not for long though as the song kicks back in like before. "Abysses" is just over 1 1/2 minutes of dark atmosphere. Quite creepy actually. "Solar Song" is pure bliss with the clean vocals cascading over top of the riffing guitars. One of my favourite tracks right here. It all settles back before 4 minutes but not for long. "Sur L'Ocean Couleur De Fer" opens with a gently picked guitar as almost spoken vocals join in. Beautiful stuff. It becomes even more uplifting 5 minutes in. Vocal melodies also will join in.

Just an atmospheric and beautifully dark Post-Metal release that weeps emotion.