Epheles - Je Suis Autrefois - review
Epheles - Je Suis Autrefois - review
Tracklist
01. La Vie Est Ici...02. Les Murmures Du Silence
03. Ne Meurs Jamais...
04. J'ai Froid Dedans...
05. Je Suis Autrefois...
06. Les Pleurs Obscurs...
A review by
Troy Killjoy January 01, 2012
Inspired by elements of chaos, anarchy, nihilistic occult disconsolation, death and destruction and mayhem and all-around fucking annihilation, Je suis autrefois is the answer to your most twisted dreams. It drives over frozen fields, through pitch black skies, and into the hearts of darkness that wait despairingly for a sign of things to end. As depicted in the Battles In The North-inspired cover art, this album is designed for grim and frostbitten kingdoms, for your final moments - the dying seconds of your futile existence, out alone in the cold at night, with no shelter in sight... (One can't help but think of Valfar's final journey.)
Epheles borrow heavily from the likes of Burzum in terms of traditional black metal vibes and ambiance, they're comparable to countrymates Mortifera in terms of the utterly depressive perception, and they passed the kvlt test in flying colors: various reds from sacrificed virgin daughters, beheaded goats, slit wrists, and the orange of livarot cheese. (Get it? French? And cheese? Never mind.) Thankfully they don't suffer from the horrific production of a bedroom black metal band, they write with purpose and focus, and the lengths of each song - including the two instrumentals - are perfect.
Je suis autrefois blasts faster than Cytheria in a solo scene, but carefully avoids being trapped within the vicinity of monotony. The Det som engang var atmosphere not only feeds the nostalgic hunger for a time when black metallers weren't busy gazing at their shoes, but helps the songs feel more persistent in their collective effort to make you feel chilled to the bone. Not to mention the eerie effect created by the vocals being mixed so low. The extravagant guitar melodies seduce the mind, leading you slowly onto a frozen lake, to the weakest point where the surface has already begun to crack, distracting you from the horrible sound of that crack spreading uncontrollably, the tranquil waters below engulfing your body in a pit of liquid blackness: a cold and lonely death.
One can't help but think of their own final journey...
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 5 |
| Production: | 10 |
Written on 01.01.2012 by
Written on 01.01.2012 by
I'm total pro; that's what I'm here for. Comments
Comments:
19
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167 users
 Posts: 2801 |
Posts: 2801
I gave up on DSBM long time ago, this does not seem like something that would get me back on it. nice review anyway
---- He who is not bold enough to be stared at from across the abyss is not bold enough to stare into it himself.
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Posts: 92
Really impressive review! Judging your recent reviews, you have a wonderful imagination and describing ability. You have that ability to attract the listener. This is my kind of stuff..doom, blackness, despair. The last paragraph is impressive- "The Det som engang var atmosphere not only feeds the nostalgic hunger for a time when black metallers weren't busy gazing at their shoes, but helps the songs feel more persistent in their collective effort to make you feel chilled to the bone. " Great work! Looking to read more reviews from you.:thumbup:
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Posts: 9576
Still can't get into black metal... >:(
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| !J.O.O.E.!
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Posts: 4603
Gazing at the shoes made me laugh, but try to scrap the last sentence from your mind 
---- 7.0 means the album is good
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Posts: 2466
Wasn't too impressed by this. The vocals kill a lot of the mood, they sound like a parody.
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Posts: 21306 Written by InnerSelf on 01.01.2012 at 11:25 It's not typically a depressive black metal album, it just hints at depression with its atmosphere. Epheles haven't ever really been considered a part of the depressive movement. 
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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Posts: 21306 Written by Slayer666 on 01.01.2012 at 19:32 I think the vocals are perfect to be honest, especially how they're buried deep in the mix.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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Posts: 193  |
Posts: 193 Written by Troy Killjoy on 01.01.2012 at 20:09 Totally agree with Troy. The vocals are perfect. As I stated in another thread, THIS is to my ears, the best BM release of 2011.
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Posts: 2801 Written by Troy Killjoy on 01.01.2012 at 20:07 I could nearly hear the music from your description : raw and harsh guitar tone, repetitive riffs and deep buried vocals. sounds like DSBM to me gonna check it out soon
---- He who is not bold enough to be stared at from across the abyss is not bold enough to stare into it himself.
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Posts: 647 Written by Boxcar Willy on 01.01.2012 at 16:37 Just listen to Silencer, it's super accessible black metal.
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Posts: 1752  |
Posts: 1752
Another great review by The Bieb. Thx for yet another great discovery
---- You cannot sedate all the things you hate - MM The Observer is the source of reality - Bloom God damn it!! What did Diddy didn't do? - Satan
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Posts: 21306 Written by Edmund Fogg on 03.01.2012 at 04:29 Thanks. For all the shit I take for my music career, I think I have a pretty good taste in music.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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Posts: 1752 Written by Troy Killjoy on 03.01.2012 at 04:32 Yup! And don't worry the true Kvlt sees clear in your game. Soon you'll perform in front of the pope like all popular stars do...And earth will finally understand the true power of Evil mwahahaha.
---- You cannot sedate all the things you hate - MM The Observer is the source of reality - Bloom God damn it!! What did Diddy didn't do? - Satan
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Posts: 18617 Written by InnerSelf on 01.01.2012 at 23:43 Have you heard it now? Because I'm in my very first listen and this is not DSBM under any light imo. Troy: Wonderful review as always and dear lord that porn reference... 
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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Posts: 2801 Written by X-Ray Rod on 17.01.2012 at 20:52 Still haven't, will do as soon as I finish my exams (I still have to listen to most of the BM stuff that Troy reviewed)
---- He who is not bold enough to be stared at from across the abyss is not bold enough to stare into it himself.
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Posts: 21306 Written by X-Ray Rod on 17.01.2012 at 20:52 I got such a massive hard-on just typing it out.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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Posts: 18617 Written by Troy Killjoy on 18.01.2012 at 01:08 The album was better than expected... Heh, I mean even with the load of sick shit I listen to, I still had a hard time listening to BM with this production but now it feels harmless... and also perfect for the music. I agree, not original by any means but shit it is very well executed and the melodies are beautiful.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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