Alcest - Les Voyages de l'Âme

Lets see if I've still got it..

I have been following many of Neige's projects and involvements for a number of years now from Amesoeurs to Peste Noire, Lantlos, Mortifera, Celestia and more and without a doubt, he is one of the hardest working men in metal. Whilst Neige may not be part of those various projects anymore, he has certainly made Alcest his full time role and with their third album 'Les Voyages de l'Âme', things are getting better for them.

There are some fine melodies on this that sprinkle over an open field covered in the morning dew where a still fog sits above it. And as the melodies kick in, the rocking distorted riffs arrive and blend in, which might try and help clear the fog. Just when you think the fog is clearing, faster, black metal tinged riffs blaze through on a rare instance which only draws more fog in.

But this doesn't mean we are in for some coldness as the tremelo picked melodies and Neige's soft clean singing help provide the think fog to act as a warm blanket over you as you lay in the field awaiting for the skies to appear. Neige's clean singing almost feels as if he is singing a sweet lullaby. He does provide his black metal screams on rare occasions, but they don't come across as menacing like in his other former projects but still adds a slight sense of anguish.

Whilst Alcest is its own, there are times I am reminded of a warm Amesoeurs with a more prog/post edge. In my opinion, I don't think this quite lives up to 'Écailles de Lune', my personal favourite. But this is still a very good album. It is great to see that Neige is still going with this unlike his other projects which seem to disappear through the fog I am writing about here after an album or two.

An effort that comes off as beautiful, emotional and deep.

Ikil