ÉQUIVOQUES VOL. 2

Here we are at the beginning of "Équivoques vol. 2". After only one minute of listening, we already feel that the atmosphere is very different from volume 1. Arrangements are as well crafted, with brass and strings, but the tone is more serious, heavier. The cover art of volume 2 is judiciously darker.

"Et si pour une fois" (4/5) opens the ball with a 4/4 groove and a rather complex guitar pattern à la ROBERT FRIPP. After the second chorus, the song evolves into a surprising jazz-funk segment. The transition between this segment and the last chorus is a strong moment.

Then the mood changes radically with "Hymne à la mort" (5/5). Band members describe this piece as ancient-Greek music, including oud and riq. The lyrics by Pierre Alexandre and Robert Choquette praise death as a source of life. It is well written. Suddenly, we get into a more metal segment, using the same themes as in the beginning. The whole sequence remains fluid. It ends with a fade-out featuring the string quartet playing disturbing dissonances.

Barrdo now decides to increase the noise level to 11 with "Intro stoner" (3/5), which is not an intro per se. After 2 minutes of sonic violence, the cut is very dry. But it does its job of warming up our ears for the next piece.

We continue in the stoner-rock-prog-metal style with "Te voilà tombé du ciel" (5/5), a piece that can't leave anyone indifferent. It is fast, percussive, epic. The long central part is instrumental, but still captivating. At the end, we hear the choir for the first time, which makes this piece even more grandiose.

About "CODA démon" (4/5), I would like to quote Pierre Alexandre: "Originally, this short piece was the coda to 'Te voilà tombé du ciel', whose title was 'Combat avec le démon' until the very end. Eventually, it gained its autonomy and earned its own track." This was a wise decision in my opinion. It makes the album breathe a little, which would have been too dense otherwise. Some delicate chamber music moment between two metal pieces, we don't hear that every day!

Another layer is added with "Ce que tu pourrais faire" (4/5). Two choirs sing simultaneously in two opposite styles: opera and throat singing. Really original and striking! Strings and horns then have a great time. The rhythm section plays a rather complex riff, the guitar improvises a dissonant solo, the screams continue... It's breathtaking. And sinister.

"Ouin ouin" (4/5), the grand finale of the album, is also stoner style, but slower and more introspective. Julie de Lafrenière speaks about humanity and makes us think about the problems we are currently experiencing. Pierre Alexandre simply replies: "Yeah, yeah, I understand". Musically repetitive but interesting. The short central bridge reminds us of the style of "Équivoques vol. 1", which we have almost forgotten at this point. The finale is abrupt but effective.

It's easy to understand why the Équivoques album was separated into two volumes. Both are excellent, but in distinctive styles.

I'll end by pointing out that Barrdo produced this double album during a worldwide pandemic. With more than 20 musicians involved and such varied and complex compositions, it's impressive. The only thing I regret is that the album doesn't exist (currently, at least) in physical format. It's only available digitally on their Bandcamp page. Let's hope that they will be able to finance their next production, otherwise it would be a great loss for the music lovers all over the world!