Feufolet – “Le Lit des Réssurections” (Independent / Disques Gargouille / Forbidden Sonority / GoatowaRex, 2022)
We live at such a pace, that we risk missing out on plenty of things, and good Music is one of them. I read this name a few months ago on a mate’s YouTube channel, if I am not mistaken. Took note of it, among many others, and let it sit there. Today, while I was tidying up my desk, I found that piece of paper with a few names, and Feufolet was one of them. I then set out to check all those names, today. Started out with the Canadian duo.
When one engages in an adventure on Canadian Black Metal, one knows he is in for quality Music. Funny thing about Art in general, and Music in particular, is that in some genres one’s identity can be easily found; sometimes one emulates other identities at the level of almost perfection, and in those situations, we might be puzzled by the assimilation ability Artists have. But this is a case where the Musicians crafted pieces of Music that showcase their geographic location… if that makes sense, my people.
Canada is known for good quality Black Metal. They have refined their sound from what the forefathers laid down; they have grown so much as Musicians and overall, Artists, that there is no need to name Blasphemy or Conqueror, for example, when talking about Canada’s Black Metal scene. What I love most about their approach to the genre, is what I love about many Europeans, mostly Eastern European bands: their capacity to “paint”, with musical notes, a natural landscape that is reminiscent of my home.
Feufolet is a band that recreates the mentioned painting, perfectly. Their sound is a massive fusion of melancholy, melody, aggressiveness, an attention to detail, and overall musical perfection. I am aware that perfection is a powerful and dangerous word; I am also aware that this duo achieves, at least to my ears, the perfect balance of the above mentioned. Black Metal does not, mandatorily, request for uncontrolled anger and noise; Black Metal is a special genre, one that demands attention and caution, and mostly due to the fact that it lives within a sphere of elitism and pre-conceived structures… but let us move on.
As stated before, this talent to write songs that are rich in melody, rich in essence, still exists; thankfully some did not jump onto the bandwagon and stayed true to their principles.
The release is, according to the band, a response to the poems of Gaston Miron, a personal work, and an homage to the Country of Canada; these songs work as a salvation for Canada’s long-lost Culture, ignored by the ones that have been absorbed by the “colonialist influence”. A description on how one loses identity and heritage; a forgotten sight of History and Tradition; an urge to honor the Past and the ones that built the nation. If I say that I understand their perspective, I will easily be insulted and labeled as A or B. This idea of modernity and technological development is as good as it is bad. Cannot see it? I understand. I will not go as far as saying that old ideals are needed today, as they are not, but I can understand where they are coming from.
And how does the sound portrait this reality? Feufolet is a perfect example of a Melodic, almost Folkish, Black Metal sound; it also has this medieval scent to it. Almost Eastern European… slow paced, it does turn into a much faster machine, when needed. I do prefer when the speed is slowed down, and we have a chance to savor those sweet melodies. It is still early, but this is one of the best Black Metal releases I have heard so far this year.
“Visage d’un Homme Abimé” is a very good example of their ability to write songs, as it creates this basis for the Aggressive Side and the Melodic Side of the band’s music. Impressive. Keep an eye out for these lads.
Sverdsveit – “Blizzard of Hate” (Tour de Garde / ASRAR, 2022)
I have Tour de Garde as one of my favorite Black Metal labels. I look at them a bit like I look at Legion Blotan, and Signal Rex a few years ago: support your local Black Metaller. Tour de Garde’s picks are almost always superb. Canadian mates, supportive of Canadian Sonic Pollution. Whenever I know they are about to put something out, I expect the best, and the lads I am focusing on today are just that.
“Blizzard of Hate” came out in March, but your scribe only has 2 hands, and it takes time, and we need to savor the Music, right? Sverdsveit is a trio from Quebec, with Finian Patraic – from Ifernach and Oldfir – on bass, guitar, and synths. Sound wise, this is Black Metal, period. What might differentiate these lads from many other, is the quality of their Black Metal. Yes, and do not expect a complete reinvention of the wheel, nor the genre, but a personal vision – and performance – of it. It takes a lot from the 90s, especially the melodic lines that runs through the duration of the release, to which the musicians add, here and there, a sort of romantic… flavor to it.
I normally get this from the Francophone Black Metal I listen to, a melancholic sadness. But that does not work the same way here, well not particularly. It is no that, the overall feeling of the album is a cold, frosty sadness, but certain moments take you to that mind frame. This set of songs has a very steady pace, no doubt about it. They build momentum, they take you on a long ride through the snow, only to reach the warmth of the firewood. The pictures I put together in my mind, while listening to music, are amazing. That first riff that reminds me of Metallica, and then the strong transition, truly destroyed it! I dare say that “Blizzard of Hate” is, probably, an ode to Winter and War. I get that, not belligerent, but almost barbaric feeling from the songs. I did mention a melancholic sadness, a nostalgic melody, and it is there… and it is amazing.
Overall, a superb first release from musicians that have been among us for a while now, and know how to perfectly craft their Art. I must not forget to mention the vocals: harsh, yet soothing (which might sound strange given the review); flawlessly placed, and an instrument of prominence.
Na Zarot – “Catacombs” (Independent, 2021)
I might have arrived a bit late to this show, but better late than never, I reckon… and as they always say. This is a one-man endeavor, a mate from Hamburg, Germany, and what I pleasant release this is. These tracks were release in 2021, and I do not remember it making a fuzz on the Black Metal Underground scene, which surprises me, if you really want to know.
When it comes to this release, I really enjoy the fact that this, although being lo-fi and stuff, should not be placed under the Raw Black Metal label, at least as I see it. Yes, it does have that harsh “taste” to it, but it has, as well, some drops of Post something – mostly in the way some melodies are presented.
We could go track by track, dissecting every one of these tunes, and that would be a superior assessment, but we do not enjoy such… 1st track is an almost claustrophobic exercise in violence! That melodic riff halfway through the song, after a very small “pause”, and afterwards a rougher one, makes it a superb demonstration of quality. The vocals are barely hearable, and it helps the tune reach higher levels. 2nd one starts off slowly, to inject extra heaviness very quickly. The music never turns into a crazy, rampage, speed freak, unless the Artist releases his Punk Persona, and it blasts away into a disgusting, putrid, melody. And you know what? He can pull it off. These transactions, you, see? He can easily jump from pace to pace, without making it look / sound weak and just placed there for no reason. He also has few moments of a more depressive and melancholic sound. Not that he touches on DSBM, per se; “Catacombs”, the tune, is where he lets himself go into a much more mellow stage, a much sweeter, I dare say, atmosphere.
The EP closes with a Punkish, wild,
savage, track. It ends, the way it started, in a way. This is a very pleasant 4
track EP. It has melody and savagery, very cool transitions, and a sense of
melodic presence. It has new elements, and it captures old shadows. In the end,
an EP people should check in case they haven’t yet.
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