Sühnopfer – Nous Sommes d’Hier (Review)

This is the fourth album from one-man French black metal band Sühnopfer.

This is the third release I’ve covered from Sühnopfer, (the other two being 2014’s Offertoire and 2019’s Hic Regnant Borbonii Manes), so it’s welcome to hear more from this artist. Across 55 minutes of new material, (which includes a black metal interpretation of a song from 1968 by Michel Polnareff), Nous Sommes d’Hier impresses with its compelling take on the melodic blackened style.

The music of Nous Sommes d’Hier is melodic and aggressive. It’s sharp and violent, dealing serrated damage with blasting fervour, while also unleashing a storm of melodic intensity and medieval atmosphere. The songs are intricate and well-written. They’re involved and complex, layering sounds, ideas, and moods on top of each other like a relentless blackened feast that’s tasty and satisfying to consume. There’s a high degree of technicality on display across these songs, fuelling the music’s emotional impact with ferocious zeal, rather than blunting it with clinical precision; the latter is absolutely there, but it enables, rather than restricts.

Nous Sommes d’Heir has a majesty and a luminous energy about it that’s undeniable. Rooted in a fast and unforgiving delivery, the songs use their aggression to pave the way for a melodic grandeur that’s as bladed as it is immersive. There are also choral and classical elements on Nous Sommes d’Heir that add to the atmospheric aspect of the music a great deal; used sparingly, but effectively, one such moment is provided by the artist behind Blut Aus Nord, which is notable.

If you’re after a fast and melodic slice of black metal that offers a more intricate and engaging experience than most, then look no further than Nous Sommes d’Heir. Sühnopfer’s music is uncompromising, but potent.

Very highly recommended.