album review : Les Voyages de l’Âme (2012) – Alcest

album : Les Voyages de l’Âme

artist : Alcest

genre : Post-Black Metal/Shoegaze

year : 2012

Let’s just forget for a while that Alcest were a black metal band who have delivered albums in the past that were out of this world. Let’s also forget that they are a metal band altogether. Now just pick up their recently released album Les Voyages de l’Âme. And of course play it, man! Some of the most unhateable tracks will flow out into your ears, where in the French duo (named Alcest) will guide you through an alley of alluring music. They, Neige and Winterhalter, explore a section of the genres that was touched by them in their previous releases too. Song after song there is an assurance that this is going to be a winner, since the band’s evolution as a force that can cater to so many emotions, situations and music lovers in general can be seen on Les Voyages de l’Âme. I don’t have complaints about the production but the tracks seem lengthy at times which make one lose focus. You’d be in a thought process and suddenly you’ll get carried away by your own thoughts rather than the songs only because the tracks have been elongated. But, if you are a free man in your head, then you’ll keep the album on loop. Les Voyages de l’Âme cannot be compared to the band’s previous releases and it should not be. I’m sure the band did not set out to make a record hoping that only their fans will love them. They had to push the boundaries and they have provided us an insight into the uniqueness of post-black metal and shoegaze. The buttery clean vocals and the unforced shrieks gel well. It is supposed to be a melancholic setup on an Alcest record but optimism and positivity can also be found on Les Voyages de l’Âme. Alcest can rightfully pocket all the praises for their new release, and continue challenging themselves with peerless musical ideas.

Rating : 4/5