Alcest - Les Voyages de l'Âme

I forget where I first heard it, but when I was introduced to the concept of shoegazer black metal, I knew it would be something I'd fall in love with. Having been a fan of post-metal for some time, and in recent months having found a renewed affinity with the more esoteric sub-genres of black metal, I almost knew what to expect from Alcest's latest album, Les Voyages de l'Âme (The Journeys Of The Soul), before I ever heard it. It did not disappoint.

Alcest have been around for quite a while, in one guise or another, although starting life as a solo project of Neige (Stéphane Paut) in 2000. Originally a black metal band, the band has slowly been moving away from straight black metal into an otherworldly mix of dense soundscapes, post-metal grooves and black metal influences. The concept behind the band's direction are childhood memories of distant, imaginary worlds.

“Alcest - that is music from another world, a world that is real, but that exists beyond ours and cannot be grasped by our senses. A world where all appearances - trees, glades, streams - emit a pearly light and where a faraway and celestial music fills the air like sweet perfume. A world inhabited by infinitely benevolent and protective beings of light, communicating in a wordless 'language' directly from one soul to another. A world where the soul knows neither pain nor sickness nor sorrow, but is filled with a deep peace and an ineffable bliss. A world that lies 'before' and 'after,' 'beside' and 'behind' our world and the awareness of which stills mankind's fears of death.” http://www.alcest-music.com/

Despite my GCSE grade French not being up to the task, the French lyrics pose no problem in enjoying the musical experience. The production is densely layered, and the mix of clean and screamed vocals merge in and out of the droning, resounding guitars, making them an integral part of the music. The drum work, too, comes forward, and fades away, carrying the heartbeat of the songs as the melody carries the spirit. The imagery is easy to get lost in, despite the specifics being lost on me, and the tone and soft melodies are almost hypnotic.

The music is not, as most black metal derivatives, depressing or angry. There is melancholy, or at least nostalgia, caught up in what can only be described as an uplifting, if somewhat unreal, experience. As with other shoegazing music, I find it easy to listen to this music before sleep, to guarantee a pleasant, peaceful night. This album has been described as a culmination of what Alcest is about, and eschews dark imagery in favour of lighter refrains. The music seems to completely embrace the listener, but never feels heavy or stressful.

All things considered, it's hard to find fault with Les Voyages… at all. Despite several listens, the songs do seem to run together somewhat, so I can't imagine listening to any one track in isolation. It's all or nothing with this album, but then, I suppose that's the nature of this type of music. A 50 minute musical journey to fairyland, and not understanding a word of it.