L'ACEPHALE - Self Titled
Eisenwald
When I saw this in the emails coming in for a review I was like Hey I remember this band. Years ago they put out a release which was like black metal opera. That's not a bad thing except in their case the fat girl(s) started things off. They were a decent enough black metal act that included some of that neo-folk influence. Their name is French but they were, in my not so humble opinion, Northwest US mushroom heads looking for a blackened trip to the latest hipster fad. The mainstream metal media, which was full of hiptards, went along with it.
So here we are many years later with their first full length in a decade. Musically when they're finished trying to be neo-folk (again) and trying to be Ukrainian or Norwegian black metal (flip a coin) hey this sounds pretty good. Tie this one to atmospheric black metal. The woman speaking to start things off is phenomenal. Then the music just rips you into a new one. What we have here is a beautiful display of black metal as an artist's concept and somewhat adherence of Cascadian ideals. The amazing female vocals on "Gloria in Excelsis Mihi" in a acoustic melodic folk cut is probably worth the purchase of this release just for it's hypnotic touch. But overall its a good listen throughout.
Another track, "Runenberg" screams "I Wanna Be Norwegian but I'm from Oregon and not into cultural appropriation because they're white people too." That'll keep the cowardly fascist masked goons off their asses. As far as the blackened touch goes it's a worthwhile track that's followed by more neo-folk ala "Hark! The Battle - Cry Is Ringing". Strangely enough this one reminds me of modern day GRAVELAND, imagine that. Strangely enough the best blackened track on here is the nineteen plus minute "Winternacht". The band could've built an EP around this cut alone. The synthesizer solos paired with the riffs is not something new to this genre but they come away with it well.
All in all this is a welcome back to a band whom I had in the past questionable opinions of. This release here should be looked upon as a concept of the blackened neo-folk idea. I don't want to say genre because do we really need another one of those? Turn this on late at night and allow it's vibe to remind you of your every day life. Afterwards you smile profusely. It's like a friend who you poke fun out only because you like em.
https://www.eisenton.de/
https://lacephale.bandcamp.com/album/lac-phale
https://www.facebook.com/lacephale/
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