Alcest - Are an acquired taste!!!

***1/3

London receives atmospheric intensity

Alcest **** are French Post Black Metal band who on Satruday played the Indigo2 in London as very special guests to Cradle of Filth, and I was looking forward to catching their set because I have heard some good things about them. I do like experimental music, but think it's really hard to turn what on a CD is magical into a live performance that is entertaining... but at the same time keeps the intensity that it has on the record. And I think Alcest are a little like Marmite in the live arena, you either love them or you hate them. You are either into them, or you are left wondering what is going on. And sadly I think I am now in the second category of both. I think though a lot of people at the show would disagree with me on this, because the merchandise booth was very busy after they played and they got massive cheers after every song.

I do think that there is a huge percentage of the audience who have just turned up to catch Alcest, and they were very happy with what they saw. The band have an intensity at times is uncomfortable, and this uneasiness isn't nice in places. I know my friends that I came to the show with, walked off after a couple of songs because they could not coup with it. But I think the same things that I hate, and my friends didn't like too. Are the same things that make this band interesting, and other people like them. You can't like everything, and sometimes I like the fact that I don't like something. The two contrasts make life and this World unique, I wouldn't like everyone to like all the bands I like. And I think I would be broke, and not happy if I liked everything. Think you would have to buy everything, I know I don't have the money to buy everything that I like.

The bands musicianship is second to none, and their timing doesn't go out at anytime. They are a band that have a really good connection with each other, and know what their fans want. I do think the vocals by Stephane in the mix are too low at times, and you can't make out what he is singing at most points in the performance. I have to say I didn't realise that the band since the end of 2009 are a duo. Which consits of Stephane "Neige" Paut on (Vocals / Guitar / Keyboards) and Jean "Winterhalter" Deflandre on (Drums / Percussion). I think before that Alcest seem to be a solo project, being joined also by Pierre "Zero" Corson on (Guitar / Backing Vocals) and Indria Saray on (Bass). I have heard the name of the band mentioned a lot, but the show was the first time I have really listened properly too them. They are classed as Post Black Metal, but at times I think they are more instrumental atmospheric Shoegaze.

I really love the band Sunn O))), but I totally understand why people don't. It's an aquired taste, it's frequencys of uncomfortable sounds... and I understand how that can be graining on some people. I even have to be in the mood to listen to them, and I have never seen them live. So I don't know how I would feel about a whole concert by them, would I want to escape or go home. I think Alcest is the same thing for me, but never really listened to their music much on CD to see if I dig it at times... and maybe I will try them just to see if I fell different towards them. They do get better and better as their set goes on, and the sound seems to come out more. I don't know if this is because of problems with their sound, or if they like to lift their performance through their set.

I think because of this it is a shame they play two popular tracks earlier in their set in the form of 'Protection' and 'Sapphire', I looked online after the show and people seem to really love these tracks. For me two of their most enjoyable tracks are 'Autre Temps (Another Time)' and 'Délivrance'. I think they have more impact with these songs, and have come more into their own. And the bass by Indria sound really great on these, as they have built up a bit their wall of sound. I have to say again I don't think Alcest are one for me, but if you like strong atmospheric intesity to your music and being uncomfortable then Alcest might be the band for you. I would say they are unique in a lot of ways, and I have not seen that many acts similar to them.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

Alcest - Setlist
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Les Jardins de Minuit (Midnight Gardens)
Protection
Sapphire
Écailles de Lune - Part 2 (Moon Scales)
Autre Temps (Another Time)
Oiseaux de Proie (Birds of Prey)
Délivrance

Check Out! the Video for 'Sapphire' Below...