IL ÉTAIT UNE FORÊT...

Depressive black metal which draws strongly on the atmospheric potential of the genre and featuring superior quality production values isn't exactly a unique sound, but Gris pull off one of the better realisations of that sound on this album. With mild folk influences here and there to keep things interesting, Icare and Neptune make a case for their status as a bit more than mere Quebec answers to Sweden's Shining, and throw in some interesting twists and turns along the way - like at least one song that is presented as though it is recorded live before a rapturous audience, whose clapping and cheering sits dissonantly next to Icare's depressed mutterings.