This is the debut album from French black metallers Houle.
After thoroughly enjoying Houle’s 2022 debut self titled EP, I was pleased to see Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire appear. Houle deliver 45 minutes minutes of melodic black metal across this album, and the record is a scorcher.
Despite my eagerness to listen to Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire, it starts with a disappointment; a one-minute intro track, called Intro, that basically just wastes the listener’s time before La Danse du Rocher starts. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I really, really don’t know why bands do this sort of thing? It doesn’t stop there either, as there’s another one of the things later on too, but at least this one is musical in nature and quite pleasant.
Anyway, after that, the aforementioned first track proper starts, and let me tell you all thoughts of disappointment leave the building fast.
Driven by piercing screams and melodic power, Houle’s black metal is sharp and effective. Offering an intriguing mix of old-school and new, it’s a well-written affair, offering a few different styles, diversions, and creative ideas across its running time. There’s aggressive darkness as you’d expect, riven with melodic appeal. There are moments of introspection and light, allowing the listener to breathe amidst the watery turmoil. There’s also a theatrical side, brought to life by Houle’s impressive singer, but one that doesn’t overwhelm the music or impose itself too blatantly. There are also plenty of modern elements that inject dynamic riffs, aspects of melodic death metal, or moments of post-blackened character that remind me of labelmates Jours Pâles in places.
Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire benefits from a strong, satisfying, well-balanced sound. This allows the music to showcase its best side, unencumbered. The songwriting is tight, yet expressive, and allowed to wander into longer compositions that nonetheless don’t lose focus. The songs are ripe with aggressive colour that energetically explode from the speakers, while still making time for nuance and atmosphere. It’s easy for them to hold the listener’s attention when they’re this well-crafted and delivered.
I’ll mention the vocalist again, as her voice is strikingly notable. It’s varied, capable of a far greater range of styles and sounds than that of your average screamer. Across her performance she occasionally reminds me of a mix of singers from bands such as Cradle of Filth, Sidus Atrum, Asagraum, and the aforementioned Jours Pâles, while also clearly having her own personality within this. She gives a great performance throughout. The music doesn’t let her down either, building comprehensive worlds that her voice perfectly slots into.
Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire is an impressive debut record that should hopefully find Houle many new admirers. Fierce and aggressive, yet with enough melodic depth to engage, and a singer that leads the charge with passionate presence, Houle’s music is made for the higher echelons of the extreme metal underworld.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 