VOS CITÉS SONT DES TOMBEAUX

ATHANOR was the project of drummer and multi-instrumentalist Cedric Marcucci from France. He originally was playing in cover bands in high school before forming this band in college. At this point Cedric was into bands like MAGMA, PRESENT, UNIVERS ZERO, WEIDORJE and SOFT MACHINE. This initial incarnation of the band was pretty much a live unit only, lasting throughout the 90's before breaking up in 1998. Ten years later Cedric resurrects the band's name and releases a free download he did himself on his computer called "Vulv'air".

And then finally with this record "Vos Cites Sont Des Tombeaux" we get a proper release with a full band and many guests. This was released in 2013 and it fits in nicely with the albums that UNIT WAIL and GUAPO released this same year. There are 15 musicians/vocalists involved with this rather epic release. Cedric did it right this time. We get just over an hour of music and 19 tracks. You won't believe some of the stuff on here. That SOFT MACHINE influence at first seemed curious, but man this does compare to the free jazz of their "Fifth" album at times.

The album's title translates to something like "Your Cities Are Graves" and we get skulls on that black and white cover art. This is often dark, and it's a mixture of composition, improvisation and sound editing. There's a lot of strings on here, plus horns and flute along with the usual instruments. There are several female vocalists, and the main singer goes into realms that few dare to tread. She can be out of her mind at times bringing Dawn to mind from that first BRAINTICKET album. The band though that came to mind the most was SHUB NIGGURATH, with the female vocals and that dark and experimental sound.

I really want to go higher than 4 stars but this has whole sections of music that are so difficult to digest and appreciate. These passages are part of the charm I suppose, but man this is a headphone trip like no other. I get such a kick out of that self titled opening track with the free jazz style. Sparse and dark with fender rhodes, bass and drums standing out. A haunting calm follows as female vocals arrive before it kicks back in. The guitar cries out on the next tune "Poseidon" as the piano supports. It builds with some energy along with horns and that rhythm section. Some energy here. "Amour" is similar to a lot of the short tracks where it feels improvised and quite avant leaning with no melody. The fourth track is different with those orchestral sounds sweeping across the dark atmosphere that include deep sounds.

Some inventive and angular guitar on "Mr Drinkenness" with female vocals and plenty going on. The piano is like rain on "Flux Et Reflux" early on in that atmosphere. Nice bass 2 minutes in. "Les Nornes" has some clarinet and a jazzy vibe 3 minutes in. Dissonant piano and horns follow. A haunting atmosphere and creepy vocals on "Les Bocal". Crazy vocals on "Tele- vision" with random drum patterns and discordant keys. Track ten is the longest piece on here and it's very good. Some female vocal melodies, horn runs, bass, strings and piano too. Some cool samples on "(Une Ville)" of people talking and milling about. Accordion too from Cedric.

"Neocron" is great as well, especially when the vocals step aside and we hear those deep sounds and killer drum work. We get some fuzzed out sounds on "Lynch" as the piano and atmosphere join in. Birds are chirping late and people are talking. "De Cause A Effet" is really good as well with the sax, electric piano, bass and random drums in the darkness. The closer features some great sounding guitar and organ. A nice way to end it all.

Such a unique recording the way they combined different styles and sounds. I'm so happy that Cedric was able to record such a brilliant album. He should be resting on this laurel.