Amesoeurs – Ruines Humaines
Northern Silence Productions – NSP038 - October 6, 2006
By Wayward_Son
Who in their lifetime has not wondered what it is all for? A life of waking up, going to work and then coming home, only to sit in front of a box to watch the decay and violence of our modern world? We destroy all that is beautiful in the name of industrialization. While we sit in traffic, at fast food restaurants, or even in front of computers, our lives wither away second by short second. We spend money on meaningless objects in the name of image. We, as a species, need a wake-up call.
Here is where Amesoeurs enter the equation. They are here, not to show us the way to redemption, but to give us the sound of our useless, mundane existence. Foregoing the usual black metal ramblings about Nationalism, Pagans, Gods, Pagan Gods, cursing the guy in the clouds, or even that old cloven hoofed fellow, Amesoeurs revel in the dirt, blood, ugliness, blindness, drunkenness, corruption, and ignorance of our suburban lifestyle and culture.
Another in a long line of amazing new French acts, Amesoeurs features the talents of Neige, also known for his work in Peste Noire, Alcest, and Mortifera. While those three bands exist firmly within black metal’s circle, Amesoeurs takes a side step into black rock territory. A strong 80’s rock presence invades the entire EP, particularly British rock acts such as The Cure and Joy Division.
The three tracks on Ruines Humaines ooze despair, loathing, and hopelessness. And within those three tracks and three emotions, we find a diamond in the rough. Neige takes us on a special journey in just sixteen minutes. The first song, ‘Bonheur Ampute’, is a stunner, featuring soft interludes in front of a wall of black metal, along with Neige’s unearthly cries. This particular track also features Neige’s inhuman high-pitched shriek as featured in Mortifera. As solid as the first track is, the title track stands head and shoulders above it. Clearly the centerpiece of the EP, it shows us just how far he is willing to take this project. With crunchy rock type riffs, clean and distorted guitars, and melodic leads in places, we can only hope this is the template for further releases from this duo. However, the song does end with industrial type beats, which drags the song down after the emotional rollercoaster. The conclusion of the journey brings us to the most rock based song of the three, ‘Faiblesse Des Sens’. There is no black metal to be found. Cleanly played guitars under the smooth vocals of Audrey Sylvain, the song is fairly standard until the ending. Building into a crescendo of distorted guitars and Sylvain’s increasingly erratic voice, the song ends perfectly, and thus our sixteen-minute trek into the bowels of our decrepit society.
Needless to say, Ruines Humaines comes with my highest recommendations. It’s not flawless, but neither are our times. Let us hope Neige does not grow weary of these imperfections, and leave us all behind.
Official Amesoeurs Website
Official Northern Silence Productions Website
Northern Silence Productions – NSP038 - October 6, 2006
By Wayward_Son
Who in their lifetime has not wondered what it is all for? A life of waking up, going to work and then coming home, only to sit in front of a box to watch the decay and violence of our modern world? We destroy all that is beautiful in the name of industrialization. While we sit in traffic, at fast food restaurants, or even in front of computers, our lives wither away second by short second. We spend money on meaningless objects in the name of image. We, as a species, need a wake-up call.
Here is where Amesoeurs enter the equation. They are here, not to show us the way to redemption, but to give us the sound of our useless, mundane existence. Foregoing the usual black metal ramblings about Nationalism, Pagans, Gods, Pagan Gods, cursing the guy in the clouds, or even that old cloven hoofed fellow, Amesoeurs revel in the dirt, blood, ugliness, blindness, drunkenness, corruption, and ignorance of our suburban lifestyle and culture.
Another in a long line of amazing new French acts, Amesoeurs features the talents of Neige, also known for his work in Peste Noire, Alcest, and Mortifera. While those three bands exist firmly within black metal’s circle, Amesoeurs takes a side step into black rock territory. A strong 80’s rock presence invades the entire EP, particularly British rock acts such as The Cure and Joy Division.
The three tracks on Ruines Humaines ooze despair, loathing, and hopelessness. And within those three tracks and three emotions, we find a diamond in the rough. Neige takes us on a special journey in just sixteen minutes. The first song, ‘Bonheur Ampute’, is a stunner, featuring soft interludes in front of a wall of black metal, along with Neige’s unearthly cries. This particular track also features Neige’s inhuman high-pitched shriek as featured in Mortifera. As solid as the first track is, the title track stands head and shoulders above it. Clearly the centerpiece of the EP, it shows us just how far he is willing to take this project. With crunchy rock type riffs, clean and distorted guitars, and melodic leads in places, we can only hope this is the template for further releases from this duo. However, the song does end with industrial type beats, which drags the song down after the emotional rollercoaster. The conclusion of the journey brings us to the most rock based song of the three, ‘Faiblesse Des Sens’. There is no black metal to be found. Cleanly played guitars under the smooth vocals of Audrey Sylvain, the song is fairly standard until the ending. Building into a crescendo of distorted guitars and Sylvain’s increasingly erratic voice, the song ends perfectly, and thus our sixteen-minute trek into the bowels of our decrepit society.
Needless to say, Ruines Humaines comes with my highest recommendations. It’s not flawless, but neither are our times. Let us hope Neige does not grow weary of these imperfections, and leave us all behind.
Official Amesoeurs Website
Official Northern Silence Productions Website
