I am always excited when Sepulchral Productions come up with a new release, and I try to follow them as much as possible. I often check their homepage to check out what is about to happen, but I was not aware this would happen. Suddenly they showed up with this split…
Four bands appear with one track each, and by the Lord of the Quebecois UnderWorlds, all four of them are highly, very highly appreciated by undersigned! I am not going to give a full history or discography by each of them; I did so by some of their former releases, or I will do so in the future when they will (hopefully) release a new full length; I’ll stick to the essence this time: the muSICK!
First we have Forteresse, who are on Sepulchral’s roster for centuries, with the song Wendigo (6:06). It’s one of their faster hymns, full of energy and melody, and with that characterising mesmerizing atmosphere. Wendigo, once again, brings forth the purest beauty of Nordic Supremacy. 10/10
Side two of the first EP brings Le Bois Des Belles (6:04) by Chasse-Galérie, a band that is for the first time on Sepulchral’s roster. Be welcome! The track exhales the known sulphuric yet epic power the band is known for, with a focus on melody and rhythm. Power-driven and fierce, this War-hymn is both atmospheric and grim. 9,5/10
The second EP opens with Monarque (track: La Griffe Du Diable; 5:26). Check out the (fantastic) review on 2013’s Lys Noir, posted on July 13th that very same year on this beloved site, in case you might be interested. It’s a typical Monarque-track, combining rawness and malignancy, yet also based on grandiose melodies that interact perfectly with the rude aggression. 10/10
Légendes ends with Murmures Nocturnes (6:06) by Csejthe (we had the [fabulous] review on Réminiscence, which was released via Eisenwald Tonschmiede, posted on June 2nd 2013), and just like Chasse-Galérie, this is the band’s first co-operation with Sepulchral. From the bands included on this split, this is the most melancholic one, and their contribution strengthens this statement. The energetic and rhythmic hymn truly floats in spheres of mysticism and nocturnal depression, but without losing the power to impress. 10/10