Band:	Departure Chandelier
Album:	Antichrist Rise To Power
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	February 28, 2019
A review by:	Auntie Sahar

01. Intro (Napoleon's Sword)
02. Life Escaping Through The Candle's Smoke
03. Forever Faithful To The Emperor
04. Catacombs Beneath The Castle Of The Marquis
05. Departure Chandelier
06. A Sacrifice To The Corsica Antichrist
07. Re-Establish The Black Rule Of France
08. Outro (Exile On The Jagged Cliffs Of Saint Helena)

As big a fan I am of history-based albums, there are certain topics within this realm that have been hammered out virtually to death in the metal community. But a black metal concept album about Napoleon? Now there's something you don't get every day.

Departure Chandelier are an international black metal band, with members split between New York and Canada. Although Antichrist Rise To Power, their full length debut, is a 2019 release, it has much earlier roots, being recorded about a decade ago and thus even preceding their 2011 demo. As a quick glance at the album's cover and track titles would suggest, here Departure Chandelier have crafted, as their Bandcamp page for the release puts it "a violent declaration of allegiance to the Emperor's dominion." This manifests in epic tales of Mr. Bonaparte's triumphs and death in isolation, complemented by a mostly midtempo black metal delivery further enhanced by a simple yet effective use of synths.

Overall Antichrist Rise To Power is more original for its thematic concept than for the music itself, but what the compositions may lack in the creativity department they more than make up for in the catchiness factor. Indeed, the more moderate tempo throughout the bulk of the album opens the door for quite a satisfying sense of rhythm and groove entering the picture. Perhaps not to the point of a band such as, say, Melechesh, but at least to the point where you're likely to get some of the riffs here stuck in your head for a few days after listening ("Life Escaping Through The Candle's Smoke" and "Re-Establish The Black Rule Of France" are particularly satisfying). Additionally, the use of synths adds an almost neoclassical sense of melody to the compositions that not only keeps Departure Chandelier from becoming "just another raw black metal band," but that also serves as a great reinforcer of the whole French/Napoleon theme.

While it likely isn't about to shake up the black metal scene with any groundbreaking new ideas, Antichrist Rise To Power is nonetheless a very well written and memorable album, one that may deceive with its relative simplicity on the first listen, as there's far more going on to the compositions and concept here than may initially meet the eye (err...ear). My only real complaint with this album, as a nerd for history, is that with a theme so grandiose and interesting as the life of Napoleon, the band hasn't included lyrics anywhere (at least to my present knowledge). So as something of a personal note to Departure Chandelier, please keep up the great work and if you all continue to go in the direction of French history, this guy would definitely welcome a lyrics booklet with the next release!

Entrer au Palais Bonaparte.