Vous Autres - Champ Du Sang (2019) Hi-Res

France - home of fine wine, haute couture and progenitor of the language of love, but also a country prone to spasms of violence and political revolt. Of late the Jekyll part of this character has been expressed socially by the 'Gillets Jaune' protests and artistically by a black metal scene that has produced some of the 21st century’s darkest and most malicious albums.

Champ Du Sang (which literally translates as “Field of Blood”) is the latest LP that mines this particularly virulent seam. At near enough 60 minutes this is an ambitious debut from the anonymous duo but anyone taking the plunge will be rewarded with an unsettling and completely absorbing listen. The album ebbs and flows between quiet introspective moments and forceful explosions of anger with jackhammer drums complementing hypnotic riffs and rage filled blackened shouts. There’s a near constant undercurrent of synthesiser work which provide melodic interest especially in the quieter parts of these long format songs.

Whilst there are a couple of standout tracks the piece is remarkably cohesive and the band prove adept at creating, and sustaining, an oppressive and malignant atmosphere. The song titles alone indicate the level of darkness contained within: “Without Tomorrow”, “Your Days (are) Gone”, “The Abyss in Front” – carefree fun this is not. Nor is this progressive music, with most riffs emphasising power over complexity. There is a lot of low end with the rhythm guitar and bass holding a weighty heft. Whilst ostensibly a black metal release there is a lot of post metal influence here in the song structures with long slow build ups to crushing breakdowns.

Lead guitar lines are simple, rising nicely over the rest of the instrumentation when the band are at full tilt and frequently being left alone to ring out mournful progressions when the other instrumentation dies back. There’s a touch of dissonance in a lot of these leads which recalls elements of Blut Aus Nord’s Memoria Vetusta series. The drums are very full sounding, with the cymbals in particular cutting cleanly through. No drummer is listed on the roster which leads me to assume they are programmed and certainly the kicks have an electronic sound to them, but they fit the record perfectly given the proliferation of synthesisers and samples.

Whilst there is an almost triumphant edge to some of the crescendos for the most part this is depressive stuff. Haunting clean vocals and minor key synths trading off against bruising breakdowns and anguished shouts. There’s an inherent danger in this kind of music which can expose the festering nihilism that sits in the darkest corners of our minds. Something that feels like it could take hold if let loose unchecked. Indeed, the anger and sense of helplessness that bursts forth from these nine songs seems intended to provide a reminder of the futility of the individual in the (modern) world. However, if you’re willing to face up to these realities and acknowledge the darkness within whilst staring into the abyss then this is certainly the album to do it to.