Alcest began as a solo Black Metal project for French musician Neige at the turn of the millennium, and have since forged themselves a fine reputation as one of the pioneering bands of the Blackgaze sound.

Neige soon began experimenting with the traditional structures of the genre by incorporating elements of Shoegaze and Post-Metal, and has continued to adapt the sound of his band from album to album. Sometimes delivering music from the heavier side of their style, such as on fourth album Kodama (2016). And sometimes tapping in more to the influences of Shoegaze.

Les Chants de l’Aurore (Nuclear Blast) is Alcest’s seventh LP, and their second on the esteemed German Metal label. And it conveys a songwriter in Neige who very much appears to be exploring a tranquil period in his life. The musician himself has said, “The place where I’m taking my inspiration from is a place of pure harmony and light. I have my issues and demons, but there is a place inside me which is much more in peace and harmony. So I took inspiration from this part of myself, rather than the dark part.” And his sentiment towards the tone of this record absolutely shines through in the music.

From the opening synth and string section of “Komorebi,” Alcest provide a feeling of pure serenity. The clean vocals of Neige have an almost angelic-like quality to them, and even when drummer Jean Deflandre introduces blast beats, the vocals stay clean and an uplifting aura is maintained with sweeping guitars and piano. “L’Envol” however provides a heavier plodding tone, opening with distortion and an infectious bass rhythm. The vocals again are very much Indie/Shoegaze inspired, while an acoustic-led break provides a wholesome naturalistic feel. The song does deliver a short sharp blast of blackened vocal screams, which are subtly introduced for the first time in an album where they are used sparingly.

The dip of a toe into blackened waters comes to the forefront on “Amethyste,” a pacier song that begins with sweeping tremolo picking and a really strong clean vocal delivery. Once again Alcest subtly introduce their screams, this time as backing vox. And the epic song – which is going to sound absolutely killer live – is complex and impressively arranged throughout, as it drops into a soothing acoustic break at the halfway point of its 8:30 runtime. But it’s when this track drops back in with full-on vocal screams that it stands out as one of the songs of Alcest’s career.

In contrast to the emotion of its predecessor, “Flamme Jumelle” is comparatively light and Shoegazey – but with infectious, twinkling lead guitar highs. “L ‘Enfant de la Lune” is another epic Alcest track, which conveys pure emotion as a succession of sweeping hooks take hold. Les Chants de l’Aurore (which translates to The Songs Of Dawn) closes with “L ’Adieu” – a song that-*shimmers with a dream-like quality, with the record returning full circle as it provides a final feeling of pure tranquillity.

 

Buy the album here:
https://alcest.bfan.link/leschantsdelaurore.ibi

 

8 / 10
ABSTRAKT_SOUL