RSS Feed


SACRAL NIGHT
Le diadème d’argent

No Remorse (2022)
Rating: 8/10

The title of this album translates to English as “The Silver Tiara”, and this is the second outing from this French act which formed out of Grenoble five years ago.

If you can’t understand French then you may have trouble with the vocals here, but other than that this is half-decent heavy metal steeped in melody and King Diamond-esque aesthetics. However, what I really like about this opus, between the dark moods, the dominant vocal commands of Antione Volhard, and the tight, shifting melodies, is the axe work of Marc Crapüd and newest member Aymeric Mallet.

These guys construct a formidable wall of blazing heavy metal, and so whatever mood the band chooses there’s that steel yet molten hot wall that remains true.

This is one deeply Gothic record without being clinically symphonic. Hear a track such as ‘Par-delà les lueurs sépulcrales’ and revel in this tapestry of delights even though only an interlude. But with numbers such as ‘L’archange aux yeux de feu’ there’s almost a sweeping black metal design married to a King Diamond-esque devilry. And that Gothic vibe stays true throughout.

The fluid, suspenseful and brooding ‘L’ode infinie’ is immersive and riveting, hinting at a power metal drive, yet somehow as cold as glinting steel with that stark black metal dissonance.

The title track opts for a melodic traditional metal feel, yet coated in extra gloss, but it still throws a faster, black metal veil of greyness over its own mysterious guise, while ‘Prêtresse de l’Atlantide’ showcases further subtlety and commanding presence of the voice.

Everything about these guys feels theatrical, dramatic and sweeping like a soundtrack to some ancient dwelling bristling with mysticism. Yes, at times the sound of Sacral Night is a bit too contemporary for my liking, but I guess this sort of music needs the best production possible – something so sadly lost on similar designs from, say, the mid-80s.

Sacral Night is a band that has progressed greatly from its 2019 debut, Ancient Remains. This new release feels expansive, littered with dark corners, twisting lanes and esoteric nuances, and so to hear brooding, classic heavy metal riddled with such Gothic complexities means there’s something for everyone here. The key to this beguiling performance is the atmosphere, and it’s hard not to be charmed by its grandiose statements.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share