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LA RECENSIONE
Behind the project Alcest is Neige, real name Nathan LeBon, a twenty-four-year-old multi-instrumentalist from France. It is, in fact, a one-man band that with its first album "Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde" managed to blend black metal and shoegaze with beautiful melodies, even at times heart-wrenching.
The second work "Écailles De Lune" does not betray expectations. All the ingredients of the previous record are present (an imposing wall of sound that blends with excellent melodies), but Naige's black metal nature emerges strongly in the second and third tracks, making the album a bit harsher to the ear of a newbie like me! In Écailles De Lune (part I) and Solar Song are the true gems of this album that take us back to the sound of My Bloody Valentine of Loveless without mimicking the Anglo-Irish group.
The album closes with the poignant riffs of Sur L'Océan Couleur De Fer.
In short, this album far exceeds mediocrity and may make anglophones who do not believe in French-sung rock reconsider.
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Summary by Bot
Écailles de Lune, the sophomore album by Alcest, continues to blend black metal and shoegaze with majestic melodies and an imposing wall of sound. Neige’s harsher black metal roots appear strongly in some tracks, adding depth and intensity. The album’s standout songs like Écailles De Lune (part I) and Solar Song evoke the spirit of My Bloody Valentine. The closing track, Sur L'Océan Couleur De Fer, rounds out this emotionally resonant experience. Overall, the album impresses and may open new doors for French rock among anglophone listeners.Tracklist Videos
Alcest
Alcest is a French blackgaze music group created by Neige (Stéphane Paut) in 2000 and later joined by drummer Winterhalter. The project blends black metal intensity with shoegaze and post-rock atmospheres and is widely cited as a pioneer of blackgaze.09 Reviews
Other reviews
By Lord_Helvete
Écailles de Lune explores the light and shadow of human emotions, capable of transporting us into a world first innocent and bright; then dark and depressive.
Neige once again succeeded in the feat of producing a qualitatively excellent and extremely exciting album.
By R13565591
"Écailles de Lune is truly a work of art... where magic still reigns and the project's quality is once again confirmed."
"An enchanting chiaroscuro that fascinates and captures the listener from the outset."
