REQUIEM APOCALYPTIQUE

This third solo venture from former Versailles member Guillaume de La Pilière deserves some credit; even if it is somewhat of a mixed effort.

I mean, he calls the album "Requiem Apocalyptique", he plays all the instruments on it himself - and the album is a 45 minutes long epic. And despite some shortcomings in terms of interesting and fascinating moods the composition comes across as just that - a complete piece of work. It could probably have been divided into 10 pieces or so, but it manages to come across as a united rather than an assembled effort; which in itself requires skill and talent.

The opening and closing sequences on the song are the main negatives for my sake; too many swirling guitars and eerie, weird vocal performances makes them unique, certainly innovative but alas also taxing and somewhat grating to the ears as the passages continue on.

However, the mid section and final closing passage, with rich, ominous and threatening moods created are fascinating; and when the more annoying sequences aren't overly long either the end result is an enjoyable creation overall; some weak parts and some strong parts - and enough of the latter to make this one worthwhile investigating for curious prog fans of the kind that doesn't mind some French eccentricity.