Review Summary: Take a trip into the Middle Ages.
Music is a life saver to a lot of people. It’s one thing that gives us the ability to get lost in time. To be transported to another world via headphones or speakers or however you choose to listen. Vehemence is a French band that I just recently stumbled upon and their new album,
Par le sang versé, is definitely other worldly. They mix raw black metal with traditional folk music and the end result is something extremely alluring and addicting.
The main thing that made me fall in love with this album was how immaculate and perfect they blend the lo-fi, jarring intensity of the rawest black metal you’ll hear with the sheer beauty of acoustic folk music with horns blaring while always maintaining the feeling that you’re marching through a forest looking for the ***ing holy grail. The album’s focus is on medieval folklore and things of a similar nature. While the black metal parts are indeed on the raw end of the spectrum, the production is never grating on the listener in any type of way. The savage riffs are clear and concise, the drumming is extravagant, specifically the masterful cymbal work and the acoustics are blended in without damaging the flow of the album. The vocals are an impeccable mixture of the fierce black metal squalling as well as some soaring and smooth cleans.
Par le sang versé will put you smack dab in the center of the Middle Ages. It’ll have you feel like you’re going to war to rescue the love of your life from the enemies you despise. There’s beauty and pain and everything in between. Vehemence will make you feel many different emotions throughout the almost hour long length of the album. An hour may seem like a lot to some, but not when you’re fully immersed in what you’re listening to. If you enjoy being led astray into your listening experience then
Par le sang versé is definitely an album that you’ll want to check out.
