Review Summary: Hold on a second, this isn’t Deafheaven rather, it’s an act to itself.
Showing that you can have a black metal album injected with ideas from other genres may not be such a revolutionary feat but Bosse-de-Nage manages to combine their black metal aesthetics with some features of post rock in a manner that is likely to ensure a steady fan base. For all the inevitable Deafheaven comparisons that are about to commence Bosse-de-Nage manages to show themselves off without falling into the same stigma.
III feels like a follow up record to the band’s sophomore record - that’s because it is, in a lot of ways. Not only have Bosse-de-Nage managed to build on their self-titled debut but with each consecutive release they manage to add a little more in terms of depth and creative writing. All the main features are still prominent from the other records but this consistency is only seen in a better light when the little extras are added to show that Bosse-de-Nage can still add new ideas to the mix. Now with the mention of post rock a certain, more popular act comes to mind: Deafheaven. When you think about it Deafheaven know how to blend both features quite well and when compared to Bosse-de-Nage striking similarities emerge. Now for those thinking that a clone is being presented to them, they may just need to think again. The genre crossover (which already stated bares a strong resemblance to Deafheaven) only helps add to Bosse-de-Nage’s personal and almost unique soundscape.
III shows that there is some merit in crossing over genre’s. What needs to be understood is that whilst this has indeed been done before the album is far from a write off.
At times the album feels bare-boned at complete odd with the thick guitar tones layered overing stuttering beats, but all this comes together when the wailing (not whaling) screams punch through the noise and highlight the album’s internal woe. A downside for
III however is that after a while the music begins to sound the same. Tracks blend into each other and all being over five minutes long start to create a tiresome listen. For the casual fan of the genre however this works out great because for the most part there is no repeat listen but for the fans who will listen to this over again they may just find their attention shifting before the final track. This is music that has both light and dark, at times the two of those even mix together. The album might not be a minimal atmospheric standout like those found in the funeral doom genre but it has its own relevance on the metal scene. Bosse-de-nage’s
III make not be the complete revolutionary but it’s a sound uncommon enough to sound a little fresher than your day to day black metal acts. Give this one a shot, it may just be worth your time.
