Gris were (are?) an incredible DSBM band from Quebec. A two piece of Icare (guitar/bass) and Neptune (lead vocals/drums/seemingly everything else), they originally formed as Niflheim in 2004, releasing a wonderful LP and a promo under that name in 2006. Since then, they changed their name and have released this record, and "À L'Âme Enflammée, L'Äme Constellée...", another LP, in 2013. Since then, both members have also joined the project Misere Luminis, which released a record as recently as 2023.
This record is generally seen as Gris' masterpiece, and obviously so. It's probably the single best record in all of DSBM, and it's arrestingly obvious from just the first track how far above the pack it is. No kitsch, no posturing, even among its dramatics it doesn't feel dramatic -- this isn't DSBM that relies on sounding creepy or disturbing or crazy to maintain your attention, though it can certainly contain moments that evoke all of those emotions at different points. This is extremely well-written and well-played music that is, in a sense, profoundly listenable and enjoyable beyond just the extremity factor inherent to the genre.
If you've seen this record mentioned, you've probably heard people talk about the vocals, which is more than deserved. This is probably the single greatest and most pained vocal performance in the history of metal, maybe ever. The track "Veux-tu danser?" is particularly strained -- there's moments in that song where his voice will stop me in my tracks, and even regardless of the vocals that song stands as perhaps the main highlight of the record for me. Check it out.
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