Music: Celtic/Pagan Black Metal
Website: http://www.belenos.biz
Country: France
Cool songs: L'Ombre du Chaos, Galv ar Brezel, Fureur Celtique, Chant de Bataille
This metal project was brought to life in 1995, but this is nothing when compared to the next piece of information: this is a French project. At the beginning, the band was a one-piece, but later on, some musicians were joining, then leaving the group, so that finally, today, Loďc is again, the one and only member of BELENOS. Chants de Bataille is his third long play, recorded together with Gilles Delecroix.
Cold and bloody climate of medieval battle fields bursts out of this disc, right after the Ode, opening the album. Harsh riffs, with nuclear power and untidy sounds manage to create the atmosphere of old dungeons, with rusted bars and dead rats on the floor. The music is full of interesting motifs, taken directly from the medieval and Renaissance minstrels and composers. The characteristic black metal riffs are interrupted by polyphonic chants, bringing to mind the great achievements of Guillaume de Machaut. The compositions create a sequence of battle hymns separated by symphonic (although chary) preludes. Everything sounds very well and does not allow to leave it even for a minute – what is more, those infixes are fantastic little masterpieces of the musical craft. Moreover, their folk tune is the best of all possible. Powerful kick of energy, ultra-fast drums and magnificent vocal parts contribute to the whole. Only the predictability and further monotony hurt badly. As they say, one cannot have everything.
BELENOS released a very good album, with mixed styles and motifs, supporting one idea – fight till death. It is a pity, that the instrumental preludes are the best parts of this material, but who cares. Listen to it, and you will not want to hear anything else.
note: 8.5/10
Tracklist
1. Ode
2. L'Ombre du Chaos
3. Chemin de Brume
4. Vers la Victoire
5. Prélude Guerrier
6. Colčre de Feu
7. Galv ar Brezel
8. Fureur Celtique
9. Galian da Viken
10. Chant de Bataille
11. P.m.q.f.
12. Sacrifiés
13. Ar Enor Salv
14. Funérailles
Total playing time 48:00
Line-up
Loďc Cellier – vocals, guitars, bass
Gilles Delecroix – drums
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