From their debut in 1998, the much-heralded ‘’Les Blessures de L’Ame’, Frances Seth has become a cornerstone of Avant Garde black metal art. Their seventh full-length masterwork is ‘’La France des Maudits’’, an album that celebrates their formidable reputation whilst continuing their purity to the cause.
invoking the very spirit of defiance, aggression, and rebellion, ‘’ Paris des maléfices’’ begins with the grandiosity that is inherent in Seth along with the raw anger of Saint Vincents vocals, it is an album steeped rich in French history and delivered in their native tongue that creates its own dark atmosphere. The riffing and keys are natural accompaniments creating a hellish crescendo that is part grandiose celebration part call to arms. The guitar work elevates ‘’La destruction des reliques’’ to another level part melodious part dissonant nightmare the speed vital in delivering the visceral energy of the record. “Dans le Coeur un Poignard” is another highlight that reeks in atmosphere its slow build inexorable, inevitable, its hostile march impossible to escape, an all-conquering majestic crescendo that pushes atmospheric black metal into another realm. ‘’Insurrection’ with its pure tremolo madness and speed reflects their inherited aggression and raw power.
‘’La France des Maudits’’ is eloquent and sophisticated in its raw aggression, its narrative precise, epic, and coherent. It is a black metal record that encapsulates art, hatred and rebellion with both subtlety, texture, and raw fury. Uncompromising Seth celebrates both grand and obscene, the modern and steeped in history. An unyielding, defiant commemoration of majesty and revolt!
Seth: Facebook
Release Year: 2024
Label: Season of Mist
Category: Album
Country: France
Reviewed by Sparky
