Aries "Le Dernier Sacre" CD Digipack

Limited edition, Digipack

It has been a while since I was able to get my hands on a release by Epictural, but now this outstanding French label is back with a bang. You can be never sure what exactly you are going to get with their releases and French black metal in general, but chances are the quality will be outstanding. Sometimes the French scene is known for churning out some really dark and dissonant stuff, at other times they opt for thrashier styles or melodic and folky masterclasses. Aries are quite a new band with only one EP prior to their full length debut “Le dernier sacre”, but I am pretty sure the two lads behind the project have a bit of experience. Otherwise I would be shocked as this album is one of the best pure black metal outputs I have heard for quite a while.

A sacral choir part starts things off before the opening title welcomes the listener with warming harmonic resonance and furious and flickering lead melodies. The intent of this cut - and the album in its entirety - is not solely to exemplify what Aries themselves are all about, but to present the illustrative qualities of this brand of black metal at full potential in general. The hammering rhythms are accompanied by outstanding guitar work which offer incredible texture to these fast-pulsing grooves. Some of the tracks keep bending into even more luxurious melodic black metal work to signify passion and intensity building in the greater work with the band marching from peak to peak.

Sinister and epic melodies augment the blast beats, striking at the listener from beneath the waves of full throttle tremolo runs and the crushing rhythms. That being said it’s the band’s slower sections that often hit the spot and extend the album by giving it additional layers. Brooding with menace and weaving grim moods with ease, Aries are adept at producing engaging atmosphere. When they lock into a mid-tempo groove or build and develop a mood-based soundscape with their captivating guitar harmonies Aries rise above a lot of their peers. A few acoustic interludes help sharpening the overall picture, like shown in the final title track where mid-paced sections transform into something wickedly malevolent yet delicious.

The vocals consist of genre typical grim and raspy screams and smoothly complement the instrumentation. The singer rages and shrieks venom at whomever or whatever might cross his way. The vocals almost seem like an afterthought to the music, as if the band have concentrated on the instrumental aspects and the build-up of the songs, and the vocals have been the last piece of the puzzle. They work amazingly well though in this context. The same can be said about the production which is quite clear and dynamic, yet has enough rawness to offer for old school fans. Real die-hard black metal purists will not be satisfied of course, but albums like “Le dernier sacre” are anyway not really meant for them. For modern black metal consumers this album is a strong contender to become one of the outstanding releases of 2022 and another proof of the immense quality constantly delivered by the French scene and Epictural Productions.

Sample: youtube.com/watch?v=1tM6leD7J_Q