LE FESTIN

This French band has already released three albums and they produced very weird music. Very dark, intriguing and scary. Almost each of them could have been a soundtrack for some sort of horror movie, really.

This one is no exception. As soon as the opening number starts, you are brought into an extremely gloomy atmosphere. Vocals also add to the feeling. This time, it is an almost childish female timber which conveys the scary side. The use of violin is extensive on this album and if one would believe that it could bring some sort of joyful feeling: just forget it. It only adds to the flavour.

This album is a long descent into darkness. Lyrics are terribly bizarre as well (most of them are sung in French). One of weirdest of all is certainly Le Retour Du Bouffon. Very much Ange oriented in terms of vocals and theme (it plunges us into the medieval world). It is actually a re-work of Jester's Dance which was available on their debut album, but with other lyrics.

Some English lyrics for Neurotic, but no change of direction here. The frightening doesn't stop (but will it ever do so with Halloween). Even if there was a seven years period of hiatus between this album and their previous one; their ideas and style haven't changed.

The oppressive atmosphere is going on with the Middle-Eastern Sheherazade. I guess that with such a title, it is all too normal. Don't expect a sweet cover from the great Renaissance song. You won't get the same treat here. Only the title and the quality of the songs have something to share. Needless to say that Coma is of same calibre. Again, the Crimson atmosphere is highly felt.

Actually, I wouldn't recommend to listen to the four albums from this band on a row. You could be so terrorized than you wouldn't want to be never left alone.

Le Festin is also quite Ange oriented in terms of lyrics. A description of a medieval feast. The music is typically Crimsonian: complex and tortured. Especially the beautiful and chaotic guitar. Explosive! It is my favourite song from this album. Bon appétit, mes amis! This is how the song closes.

The closing number Carnage (which means slaughter, what a programme!) is almost a normal song! It features Banks oriented synths and a jazzy mood.

In all, this is a good album from skilled musicians. Géraldine Le Coq has a very special voice as well and she perfectly fits into the spectre. The minus point would be that the listener could be tired with so much gloom. But I have had the same feeling with their two prior releases. The complexity of this album could have placed it perfectly in the eclectic genre.

Three stars.