Guest Reviewer: Kreator666
Band: Amesoeurs
CD Title: Ruines Humaines EP
Year: 2006
Website: www.amesoeurs-music.com
MySpace: myspace.com/amesoeurs
Label: Northern Silence Productions
Featured on: Loucifer Speaks Guest Reviewer Exclusive
Rating: 9.5 / 10
More Links: Please discuss this review and band in the Loucifer Speaks forum.
Amesoeurs are yet another one of Neige's (Alcest, Peste Noire, Mortifera, Forgotten Woods) projects to provide a unique take on music - this time, a urban-style Black Metal sound with touches of Post-Punk ala Joy Division, as well as hints of Darkwave. Formed in 2004, Amesoeurs were initially aiming to create Post-Punk music, but this EP released in 2006 features some of Neige's unrealised material from his past Black Metal bands (more specifically, the first two songs). The third song is an original by the band as a whole, and is excellent insight into the sound that they will be playing from this point forward. This short EP is seemingly unmatched in the genre, and will never be repeated again by the band (whether this is good or bad hinges on your taste - interesting Black Metal or progression in the form of Post-Punk?).
'Bonheur Amputé' starts the album off with an interesting, up-beat riff and drumming pattern, which is enveloped by a painful, angst-ridden scream by Neige. An intricate guitar lead follows, setting the pace for the rest of the 16 minute EP (or, at least, the next two songs). The song continues full of emotion - one moment you feel overwhelmed by rage, the next by self-pity, and then back to hatred of urban society. The music creates a soundscape of wondering through a dirty, deserted city, all alone without any goal or saving grace. The second track of the EP, 'Ruines Humaines', while not quite as outstanding as the first, compliments it by maintaining the emotive style. Shrieking vocals, powerful riffs, and an excellent guitar solo all contribute to the feeling, and drive the song home to a nice ambient outro, welcoming on the final track of the EP.
The atmosphere of the EP is helped along by your average modern Black Metal production (no - not of the 'necro' variety) - grandiose yet depressing at the same time. Riffs are driven by both Black Metal stylings and with a Pop sensibility, a unique combination that seems strange but definitely works. The prominent tremolo bass-work on the EP is really something special, playing interesting sub-melodies along to the riffs all the while keeping the songs sounding fresh. The Post-Punk influence is noticeable in the light drum sound, as well as the riffing. Overall, the musicianship and song-writing skills are excellent - top-of-the-line when it comes to Black Metal. The EP then takes another turn...
With the third track of the EP, hitting you as being 'out-of-place' the first time you listen. This impression won't last, as the track soon develops to become a fitting end to the EP (both musically and stylistically). 'Faiblesse Des Sens' is an acoustic, Folk-y song, with Audrey taking the vocals with her soothing, beautiful voice. The song builds up gradually to the introduction of Neige's electric guitar, where Audrey's voice takes a harsher, angrier style of clean singing. The riff builds to a climax, growing louder and fiercer, at which point Audrey unleashes one of the best screams to grace music. The song ends with a very urban riff, closing off one of the best EPs around.
While it is quite disappointing that this style of music will never be recorded again (at least, by Amesoeurs), it will be interesting to follow them into their Post-Punk future. With a taste of what they are capable of on 'Faiblesse Des Sens' (my favourite track of the EP), the sky's the limit for such an amazing band. The only complaints I can raise with this release would be some technical faults in the drumming (at times they sound a bit 'off' - whether the equipment chosen or the production is at fault is up to somebody more musically proficient), French lyrics that I can't understand (loose translations give the gist of it, but will never capture the beauty of the lyrics in their natural language), and the fact that 16 minutes is just not long enough. This unique vision of urbanized Black Metal is an astounding piece of work, right down to the black and white photography of a city in the CD booklet.
I'd recommend this EP to anybody even slightly interested in Black Metal, Darkwave, or Post-Punk, and who'd like to listen to them all combined together to form one of the most original sounds in the past decade.
