I must make a comment about the French metal scene. I had no idea it was growing so fast. Until about the last year I could not have named one metal band I knew from France, but they just seem to be coming out of oblivion now. The stuff I've heard coming from the area is very awsome too I might add......
Meet FURIA, an awsome death/black metal act in the vein of Children of Bodom meets Dimmu Borgir. They are similar to many of the hybrid bands like Skyfire and Omnium Gatherum. This band manages to blend the soaring Norwegian melodies and keyboard instrumentations with the vocals and gothic atmosphere of Dimmu. This album is one of the best Ive heard from a French band period.The riffage is excellent. Each note is distinct and perfectly placed. The guitar sound is similar to that of Bodom or In Flames but their styles are not the same. It is clear that these bands are major influences but at the same time, the style is not too similar. I appreciate when a band can pay homage without directly stealing the style. The keyboards and orchestrations are tailored to fit this music perfectly. For black/death hybrid metal, the drumming also fits perfectly; with a balance struck between the two styles. The bass can actually be heard on this album unlike alot of black metal albums. It is not too over powering or too quiet. It works well to support the music in general. In terms of vocals, we have a veritable feast of styles and performances. Fantastic death growls are present, along with black vocals that would make any spiked gauntlet black metaller proud. Female vocals a la Cradle or Dimmu Borgir are also present and certainly accentuate the songs in all the right places with Elmira, L'image D'un Destin as a perfect example. Other vocal lines use heavy effects which fit well. All the vocals are sung in French and while I dont understand the French language, it doesnt bother me.
This is a concept album and is meant to be listened to and understood in a linear order. Les Révélations D'un Temp Passé is one of the best tracks on the album. It has a slower tempo than most black metal but the constant double bass makes it 100% evilized. The keyboards have an awsome atmospheric sound to them. The intro to this song is quite sound effects laden. Gaïlen... is another favorite on the album. It feels like an In Flames song circa Whoracle at several parts. One noticeable similarity is part of one of the solos, which can be traced back to the solo from the track The Hive on Whoracle. Le Jugement D'une Conscience gives recent Dimmu Borgir a run for its money. The sound is terrific and brings new influences to a generation that many thought had been perfected recently. It takes Dimmu Borgir in a slightly more progressive direction. Les Deux Mondes... is the best song . It is truly rad in the use of keyboard and guitar harmony in the verse riff.
This is a surefire winner whether you enjoy either the black metal played by Dimmu Borgir or Cradle of Filth, the Melodeath of In Flames, the Finnish sound of Children of Bodom or the blackened death sound of Skyfire or Kalmah.Strong musicianship along with some clear cut production make Un Lac de Larmes & de Sang a strong effort worth checking out.: Every song is a killer!
9/10
Meet FURIA, an awsome death/black metal act in the vein of Children of Bodom meets Dimmu Borgir. They are similar to many of the hybrid bands like Skyfire and Omnium Gatherum. This band manages to blend the soaring Norwegian melodies and keyboard instrumentations with the vocals and gothic atmosphere of Dimmu. This album is one of the best Ive heard from a French band period.The riffage is excellent. Each note is distinct and perfectly placed. The guitar sound is similar to that of Bodom or In Flames but their styles are not the same. It is clear that these bands are major influences but at the same time, the style is not too similar. I appreciate when a band can pay homage without directly stealing the style. The keyboards and orchestrations are tailored to fit this music perfectly. For black/death hybrid metal, the drumming also fits perfectly; with a balance struck between the two styles. The bass can actually be heard on this album unlike alot of black metal albums. It is not too over powering or too quiet. It works well to support the music in general. In terms of vocals, we have a veritable feast of styles and performances. Fantastic death growls are present, along with black vocals that would make any spiked gauntlet black metaller proud. Female vocals a la Cradle or Dimmu Borgir are also present and certainly accentuate the songs in all the right places with Elmira, L'image D'un Destin as a perfect example. Other vocal lines use heavy effects which fit well. All the vocals are sung in French and while I dont understand the French language, it doesnt bother me.
This is a concept album and is meant to be listened to and understood in a linear order. Les Révélations D'un Temp Passé is one of the best tracks on the album. It has a slower tempo than most black metal but the constant double bass makes it 100% evilized. The keyboards have an awsome atmospheric sound to them. The intro to this song is quite sound effects laden. Gaïlen... is another favorite on the album. It feels like an In Flames song circa Whoracle at several parts. One noticeable similarity is part of one of the solos, which can be traced back to the solo from the track The Hive on Whoracle. Le Jugement D'une Conscience gives recent Dimmu Borgir a run for its money. The sound is terrific and brings new influences to a generation that many thought had been perfected recently. It takes Dimmu Borgir in a slightly more progressive direction. Les Deux Mondes... is the best song . It is truly rad in the use of keyboard and guitar harmony in the verse riff.
This is a surefire winner whether you enjoy either the black metal played by Dimmu Borgir or Cradle of Filth, the Melodeath of In Flames, the Finnish sound of Children of Bodom or the blackened death sound of Skyfire or Kalmah.Strong musicianship along with some clear cut production make Un Lac de Larmes & de Sang a strong effort worth checking out.: Every song is a killer!
9/10
