French act Horologium are active since 2004, and as from then on they released quite an impressive number of recordings. Via Ur Muzik (to my modest but honest opinion this is a firmly underestimated label - they deserve to be checked out for sure (on May 11th 2016 I did upload a review for Artefactum, another grandiose entity on this impressive label, and in a very near future I will also write and publish one for the new Negru Pvlse record as well), Horologium return with Du Grand Désir, an eight-track album that lasts for forty-three minutes. And a first thing I just need to mention is the grandiose artwork, the sublime lay-out of the album, partly composed by label owner (and Artefactum front woman) Merissa d’Erlette. The stuff was recorded over a period of several months in 2011 and 2012, and it comes (came) in an edition of 400 copies.
Du Grand Désir has quite something to offer. It’s like a symbiosis of shamanistic rituals, occult soundwaves, psychedelic sonic creations, martial hymns, industrial constructions and ambient noises – I know, this is quite a ‘general’ and vague description, but believe me if I say that it is! Each single composition is a unique expression of Apocalyptic Folk / Ambient / Drone / Industrial / Experimental / … creativity, elegantly translated into quite diverse yet still coherent soundscapes that permanently seek for attention.
There is quite a lot to experience on this album. There are no two tracks that sound alike – and that might probably disconcert a not-that-open-minded audience. At the other hand, it might appeal to those who dare to enter dimensions of the unexpected. One cannot deny the sublimity of these compositions. It’s quite brave to compose a piece like Le Chant D’Ivresse - it might have been written for me specifically??? Anyway, to come to such natural result, although being constructed around quite diverse, even contradictious approaches, is a risk. It works, or it does not. But seen the subtle coherence at the one hand, and the really wonderful compositions at the other, and whether you can adore each single piece or not (translation: you do not need to like every track, you just need to recognize the beauty of it!), Du Grand Désir truly is a monument. Even the songs that I do not like, seen from a subjective point of view, are actually great compositions.
To conclude: Horologium are a unique entity within the Aural Art scene. With this album, they trespass the borders of superficiality, of tedium, of desinspiration. There’s a constant tension, a permanent magic going on, keeping the listener aroused, attentive, hungry-and-horny. A couple of listens is recommended in order to fully comprehend the whole sonic journey, but it’s worth it to endure. Each time you will experience new elements, each time the subtlety of the tracks will reveal new detailed sonic treasures.