Gris - À L'Âme Enflammée, L'Äme Constellée... review
| Band: | Gris |
| Album: | À L'Âme Enflammée, L'Äme Constellée... |
| Style: | Depressive black metal |
| Release date: | July 09, 2013 |
| A review by: | Troy Killjoy |
Disc I
01. L'Aube
02. Les Forges
03. Samsara
04. Igneus
05. Dil
Disc II
01. Moksha
02. Seizième Prière
03. Sem
04. Une Épitaphe De Suie
05. Nadir
If you still haven't managed to delve into the miserable world of Métal Noir Québécois, do yourself a favor and start with this album.
À l'âme enflammée, l'äme constellée... is exactly what this genre is all about: beautiful acoustic passages, haunting melodies, agonizing screams, passionate classical instrumentation, and just the right amount of raw aggression.
Where Il était une forêt... emitted a more woeful vibe, the duo that make up Gris captured feelings of remorse in a more spectacular way this time around. While the 15-minute dirge, "Les forges", is somewhat of a throwback to the harrowing "Le gala des gens heureux", the majority of these songs follow a less abrasive path.
Interspersed with acoustic interludes of varying lengths, these talented multi-instrumentalists have seemingly taken influence from the current post-metal trend, infusing their unique atmospheric black metal with the perfect blend of dissonance and melody. "Seizième prière" captures this approach with an emotional rollercoaster to the tune of uplifting classical music and harsh depressive black metal, a ride that has become synonymous with this band's discography.
Clocking in at over 80 minutes, À l'âme enflammée, l'äme constellée... may take some time to warm up to you, but the ends definitely justify the means. Despite an album that contains far more emphasis on atmosphere than actual riffs, the members of Gris still managed to create an engaging listen from beginning to end that incorporates cultural desolation and hopelessness - not at all unlike its predecessor.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 8 |
 | Written on 30.11.2013 by I'm total pro; that's what I'm here for. |
Comments
Comments: 23
Visited by: 362 users
| 3rdWorld China was a neat Posts: 4367  |
I quite like the lengthy songs here especially since they are written this beautifully. And also the fact that this happens to be a double disc album.
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| gnirpz Posts: 53 |
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| Death_95 Posts: 201  |
Album of the year without a doubt! Great review, thank you! Can someone suggest other 'Métal Noir Québécois' bands?
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306  |
Written by Death_95 on 30.11.2013 at 20:49 Forteresse, Sombres forêts, Csejthe, Neige et noirceur, Monarque, Brume d'automne to name a few... 
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| mz Posts: 4824  |
I tried to get into DSBM a couple of times and could not find good band, except for shining. Will definitely check this band out soon to see what comes out.
---- Giving my ears a rest from music.
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| Draven Edge Posts: 25  |
Here's a couple of bands I think those that like Gris would also enjoy, both from Sweden though. Hypothermia and Lustre. The dark anguished vocals are what first caught my attention, definitely cool atmospheric music. I dunno... for me.... over the last couple of years I've gotten away from reading lyrics. I used to totally analyze albums and their lyrics in a quest for the musician's "message'. Of course, I listen to music for the music, but the lyrics are usually where the meaning of the song is conveyed (the concept). When I listen to Gris, Hypothermia or Lustre, vocal 'delivery' is what I appreciate. For me it conveys anguish, torment, anger, sorrow, pain....the dark side of the music world I can enjoy, appreciate and relate to. Thanks Troy for giving Gris the attention they deserve, good review. Lustre | Lost in Lustrous Night Skies Hypothermia | Do Ave Ran Vilja
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| Death_95 Posts: 201 |
Written by mz on 30.11.2013 at 22:10 You'll love Gris, but also check out Nocturnal Depression... they got me into DSBM
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| Death_95 Posts: 201 |
Written by Draven Edge on 30.11.2013 at 22:21 Both bands are amazing, especially Hypothermia! I suggest Hypothermia for anyone who wants to get into DSBM.
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| Death_95 Posts: 201 |
"just the right amount of raw aggression." I think this sentence sums up Black Metal in general, or DSBM to be more specific... great review Troy, thank you!
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| Death_95 Posts: 201 |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 30.11.2013 at 21:51 Thanks man, will give them a listen!
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| Tristus Scriptor Rancid Reviewer Posts: 293  |
If you ask me (though nobody did); THIS album is a collection of concentrated brilliance. I've loved it since it came out. Been a huge influence on me - both emotionally and musically.
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| tea[m]ster Au Pays Natal Contributor Posts: 5266  |
Good stuff although I don't know what's depressive about this music.
---- rekt
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by tea[m]ster on 01.12.2013 at 17:43 It's more so the between-the-lines kind of depressive (loss of culture), not the in-your-face kind of depressive (suicide). That's why I don't lump Gris in with traditional depressive black metal bands, even though lyrically you can consider them depressive for different reasons.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Boxcar Willy yr a kook Posts: 9155  |
I cannot appreciate this release for the simple reason that I can't finish it. It's just way too fucking long.
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by Boxcar Willy on 01.12.2013 at 18:16 I'd say that's your loss, unfortunately. I've listened to it over 20 times now from beginning to end and the intricacies throughout give me something new to appreciate every time. It's gotten to the point where I'm just listening to this instead of other new releases. 
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| mz Posts: 4824 |
Written by Death_95 on 30.11.2013 at 23:22 thank you, but I tried a few ND songs and did not like them. Also, what a cliche band name they've chosen. Nocturnal Depression ?? wth
---- Giving my ears a rest from music.
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| Mad Arab666 Posts: 299  |
I've never heard of Gris before but I'll check this out. Hopefully it will force me to buy the album.;D
---- Bring up the wolves head!
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| Both Bears Posts: 111  |
Doesnt beat Il etait une foret for me .. yet  the music is different drawing more influences, enjoyable listen so far
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| Unhealer Eclecticist Posts: 2311  |
This is fucking lovely! Thanks for the heads-up Killjoy, I knew there had to be a positive side of having to tolerate you around MS again 
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| Merchant of Doom Posts: 702  |
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| mz Posts: 4824 |
Written by Merchant of Doom on 06.12.2013 at 18:24 Is it a fanboyish exaggeration to express how much you love this or you really mean it?
---- Giving my ears a rest from music.
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| Merchant of Doom Posts: 702 |
Written by mz on 08.12.2013 at 12:12 a bit of both... 
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| Desert Father Posts: 144  |
Just based on that first track... I'm in for a treat.
---- "Truly, my child, if I were allowed to see my sins, three or four men would not be enough to weep for them." - Abba Dioscorus
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