Band:	Misanthrope
Album:	IrremeDIABLE
Style:	Melodic death metal
Release date:	January 21, 2008
Guest review by:	White Winter Sun

Disc I
01. Les Retourneurs De Pierres
02. Phénakistiscope
03. Les Limbes
04. Le Passager Du Hasard
05. L'Infinie Violence Des Abîmes
06. Prodigalité
07. Le Dandy De Bohème
08. Fantasia Artificielle
09. Le Maudit Et Son Spleen
10. Plaisirs Saphiques
11. Névrose
12. 1857
13. Ixion
14. L'Oracle De La Déchéance
15. LXXXIV L'IrréméDIABLE

Disc II [Limited edition DVD]
01. Live At Le Sax Achères 78 (21/10/06)
02. Névrose [video]
03. Road Movie

Misanthrope is a French Extreme Metal band inspired by the spirit of the French playwright and actor Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (also known by his stage name, Molière). With this new album, entitled "IrremeDIABLE", Misanthrope has changed its source of inspiration. Indeed, "IrremeDIABLE" is the first Misanthrope's concept album and it is based on Charles Baudelaire's life and works. Historically, Baudelaire (1821-1867) is known for the publication of his most famous volume of poems "Les Fleurs Du Mal" ("The Flowers Of Evil").

Compared to their previous releases, "IrremeDIABLE" is one of the best Misanthrope records ever released. It is a total immersion in full XIXth century, which redraw us all the life of the poet: death, existential problems, decline, boredom, the evil, exile, dope, sex... How to describe in few words this monumental new album? Varied, melodic, lively... simply Brilliant.
The album kicks off with an awesome track entitled "Les Retourneurs De Pierres". With fast drums and heavy yet melodic guitar riffs, this song is the perfect opener and a good introduction of Charles Beaudelaire's life by immersing the listener in the historic context. The following songs are in the same vein, with heavy rhythmic and effective riffs, but nevertheless this album is absolutely not linear. Variety, unique universe and magnificence are the key words of the Misanthrope's style. Great solos are scattered all over the album while the keyboards give wonderful emotions of each song. Also, the games between the bass and the drums are simply impressive, listen to the songs "Les Retourneurs De Pierres" and "Nevrose" to be convinced of it. The exceptional groove is mainly due to the presence of the twirling bass of Jean-Jacques Moréac while Gaël Féret delivers insane drums like on "L'Infinie Violence Des Abîmes" which shows us all his virtuosity. The guitar work is impressive too and ranges from simple but effective riffs to more complex riffs and solos, giving to "IrremeDIABLE" a large panel of variations, both musically and emotionally.
As always, another important part of Misanthrope's music is focused on the singing. Once again, S.A.S de l'Argilière has done a perfect job, his singing going from growls, spoken, sung/whispered to plaintive. The singing transcribes again and delivers emotions along the minutes, reaching a climax with acoustic songs "Prodigalité" and "Plaisirs Saphiques".

On the whole "IrremeDIABLE" hosts no forgettable tracks or boring moments, even though the album is rather long (near 70 minutes). With "IrremeDIABLE", Misanthrope are even more grandiloquent and ambitious to intoxicate us with their sound by presenting speedy riffs with high quality metal lyrics, accompanied by atmospheres full of emotions and obsessive moments. If you like classy and searched Death metal, you should really appreciate "IrremeDIABLE" with its unique atmosphere. Probably one of the best tributes which could be returned to Beaudelaire's Art. After this, remains only one question, what is going to be able to propose the band thereafter and more particularly to equal/surmount this metal monument?

Highlights: "Les Retourneurs De Pierres", "L'Infinie Violence Des Abîmes", "Prodigalité", "Le Dandy De Bohème", "Le Maudit Et Son Spleen", "Névrose".