ALCEST - Écailles De Lune [ARCTIC PEARL LP]

Limited Arctic Pearl Vinyl LP with printed inner sleeve, protective sleeve, and poster.

About the album

On their sophomore album "Écailles de Lune" ("Moon Scales"), ALCEST revisited their roots in Black Metal while retaining the unique characteristics developed on their debut album "Souvenirs d’un Autre Monde." The French pioneers of Post-Black Metal crafted a shimmering, dreamlike sound that defined their otherworldly beauty - a sound they have continuously refined. Musically, ALCEST merges meditative acoustic passages with repetitive hypnotic patterns and catchy melodies, interspersed with bursts of harsh guitar riffs and intense drumming. Similarly, Neige, the band's leader and guitarist, contrasts his vocal delivery by alternating between a warm, dark tenor and gentle higher registers, interrupted by desperate screams and fierce growls. The softer vocals eventually prevail like an unstoppable wave.

"My inspiration for this album particularly stemmed from the sea and the energy and elation felt when sitting before the ocean at night," Neige revealed about the creation process of “Écailles de Lune.” "The ocean seems terribly fascinating, mysterious, as beautiful as it is terrifying." Over time, ALCEST's music has been labeled in various ways: Post-Black Metal, Post-Rock, Shoegaze, and Blackgaze are among the most common. However one chooses to categorize this band originally from Avignon but now based in Paris, their sound remains unique. A hallmark of their albums is conceptual motifs that run through each track. On "Écailles de Lune," it’s a story of transformation. "The story of this album does not metaphorically represent death," Neige wrote. "To me, it’s about a man literally deciding to leave his world for another. It’s more about transitioning into another reality or plane of existence." For those who wish to follow this man's journey to another place, ALCEST offers the key. Close your eyes to listen to "Écailles de Lune" and embark on a world filled with musical wonders and breathtaking beauty - but beware: even the roses of other worlds have thorns.

Track listing

1. Écailles De Lune - Part 1
2. Écailles De Lune - Part 2
3. Percées De Lumière
4. Abysses
5. Solar Song
6. Sur L'Océan Couleur De Fer

Manufacturer: ProMedia GmbH, Im Gartenfeld 1, 54516 Flußbach, Germany, Contact: spkr.media