Misanthrope

French progressive / avant-garde death metal band formed in 1988, led by S.A.S. De L'Argilière. Known for mixing French and English lyrics, theatrical growled vocals, and technical arrangements.

From DeBaser reviews: Visionnaire is presented as the band's fourth album, containing 10 songs (5 in English, 5 in French) with lyrics inspired by Molière. Visionnaire's production is credited to Fredrik Nordström at Fredman Studio; the album packaging is a Holy Records digipack and includes guest appearances (a solo by Jesper Strömblad and choirs by Anders Frieden). Bassist Jean-Jacques Moréac is consistently praised for technical skill. A DeBaser review criticises the box set Recueil d'Écueils: les épaves... et autres œuvres interdites for poor production and unlistenable live material, while noting that the third CD Libertine Humiliations contains some decent tracks (e.g. "L'Ecume des Chouans").

Two DeBaser reviews present opposite views: one strongly praises Visionnaire as an experimental, theatrical, technical avant-garde death-metal album. The other criticises a multi-CD box set (Recueil d'Écueils...) for poor production and unlistenable material while recommending Visionnaire. Both reviews highlight bassist Jean-Jacques Moréac and the use of French and English lyrics.

For:Listeners of experimental/avant-garde/progressive death metal; readers who appreciate technical musicianship and theatrical vocals; French-language metal fans.