black metal
I've been doing this reviewing thing for over three years now and I still don't understand why the term "post black metal" has been invented. Some say "well, they are influenced by post metal, post rock and shoegaze" but that's not a satisfying answer. In that logic, all black metal bands who have been inspired by thrash metal, would have been called "thrash black metal". If I hear screams, blast beats and piercing guitars, I categorize the thing under black metal, period. There are already too many categories and genre definitions, it's getting complicated.
With that in mind, 'Au Peuple de l'Abîme' is the debut full length of French black metal band Heir. The band formed in 2015 and released a first EP the year after. Their style seems to be influenced by the current wave of black metal bands, such as Deafheaven, Alcest and Lantlôs but also by doom, old school atmospheric black metal and sludge metal. The result is an intense but well varied and well executed album, one which every black metal fan should give a try.
There are five tracks on this album, each of them being a blast of sheer aggression, despair and dark energy. Somehow, this quartet manages to balance on the thin edge between utter blackened chaos and melodic metal. Then, there are the repetitive, sludge metal inspired pieces of music, designed to pound the listener into a deep state of trance.
Yeah, I see the potential in this one. I also have a hard time to pick a favorite track. 'Meltem' maybe, or perhaps I pick 'L'Heure d'Helios'. Then again, I think I mostly prefer to enjoy this album as a whole, a forty minutes rollercoaster of emotions which ends in a pummeling apotheosis in 'Cendres'. I still don't care much about the "post" tag, so I'll just recommend it to every self respecting black metal fan. This is a gem you should give a chance.
Serge
With that in mind, 'Au Peuple de l'Abîme' is the debut full length of French black metal band Heir. The band formed in 2015 and released a first EP the year after. Their style seems to be influenced by the current wave of black metal bands, such as Deafheaven, Alcest and Lantlôs but also by doom, old school atmospheric black metal and sludge metal. The result is an intense but well varied and well executed album, one which every black metal fan should give a try.
There are five tracks on this album, each of them being a blast of sheer aggression, despair and dark energy. Somehow, this quartet manages to balance on the thin edge between utter blackened chaos and melodic metal. Then, there are the repetitive, sludge metal inspired pieces of music, designed to pound the listener into a deep state of trance.
Yeah, I see the potential in this one. I also have a hard time to pick a favorite track. 'Meltem' maybe, or perhaps I pick 'L'Heure d'Helios'. Then again, I think I mostly prefer to enjoy this album as a whole, a forty minutes rollercoaster of emotions which ends in a pummeling apotheosis in 'Cendres'. I still don't care much about the "post" tag, so I'll just recommend it to every self respecting black metal fan. This is a gem you should give a chance.
Serge
