Amesoeurs - Self-Titled

There’s likely at least one metal band for everyone who appreciates music pointed in a different direction. Amesoeurs are one of those bands. Joy Division and Peste Noire fans alike can find something to digest here. Never mind properly pronouncing the name or making sense of French lyrics. Amesoeurs translate enough with their meshed black metal and post-rock. Like raspberry filling inside dark chocolate, the combination just works. On this much anticipated full-length, they slash preconceived notions from genres.

Les Ruches Malades
Recueillement (excerpt)

At times, Amesoeurs don’t sound like metal. Joy Division influence prevails on “Les Ruches Malades” and passersby stop to bob heads side to side. The danceable guitar melodies and Audrey Sylvain’s angelic vocals avoid black-and-white corpsepaint imagery. In “Recueillement,” a cute post-rock intro sets an almost bubbly mood that shrinks behind Neige’s scraggly vocals. Shuddering chills ensue by the slightest bends that stray into unfamiliar areas.

Dark nuances still lurk below the pretty stuff. Amesoeurs deliver black metal tendencies through riffs and blastbeats. In “Trouble,” the same meaty darkness returns as captured in 2006’s Ruines Humaines. The track stands in harsh contrast to the rest of the album, but it’s a sign that Amesoeurs haven’t lost their heavy yet delicate touch. Despite the French quartet’s departure, this touch won’t dissipate soon.

Buy:
eMusic (MP3)
Amazon (MP3)
The End (CD)
Profound Lore (CD)
Profound Lore (CD + shirt)