This is the second album from French black metallers Galibot.
Galibot provide the listener with a quality outing of melodic black metal to explore. Catabase contains 42 minutes of material, and it’s worth getting your teeth into.
Galibot play a contemporary form of black metal that brings together vicious aggression, melodic weight, and sharp structuring. It’s modern black metal, although you can hear the more traditional Scandinavian influences too. In places, occasional elements can also be detected that have been taken from hardcore, dissonant black metal, and post-metal. These are in no way dominant in the music, but they are felt here and there, leading to a well-rounded collection of songs.
The songwriting is tight and compact, combining impactful hooks and mood-focused depth with efficient ease. Even with its atmospheric proclivities, Catabase is a song-based affair first and foremost. Galibot ably and consistently demonstrate their songcraft across what is a very enjoyable record.
The music is melodic and aggressive, without sacrificing hooks. The melodies get under your skin, and before you know it you’re humming the damn things when you least expect it. The singer boasts a quality snarl, while also possessing a clean singing voice the hits the spot. Her screams are fiery and emotive, and her cleans, used sparingly, are expressive and well-delivered.
Catabase is very good. The potential for wider appeal is obvious. With songwriting, performances, and execution all strong, Galibot’s new album is a winner for sure. Fans of bands such as Antrisch, Deg Weg Einer Freiheit, Forteresse, Non Est Deus, and Regarde les Hommes Tomber need to check this out.
Wonderbox Metal 