Celeste - Morte(s) Nee(s)
It’s time to stop apologizing for metal. Sometimes life does indeed suck, and instead of resorting to road rage or alcoholism or some other unproductive behavior, we just want music to pound the shit out of us. (The genteel term would be “sublimation”.) Either that, or we get our masochist kicks by doing something drastic like the Japanese guy who accepts money in exchange for the right to beat him up.
Celeste are the pounding-est band to come along since Godflesh and Khanate. They’re not as pure as those bands at their peak – no band ever will be – but in terms of sheer pleasure from pain, I’ve experienced none better. Like Sleep, they’re willing to drive one chord into the ground. But unlike Sleep, their songs end, and whatever drugs they’re on make people hostile. No stoners, only stoning.
Morte(s) Nee(s) (Denovali, 2010, free album download here) is a bleak set of death marches that start low and finish lower. Unlike sludge metal’s usual bearded bummer, it’s short-haired, clean-shaven, and sporting brass knuckles. It’s French, though, so it’s got artsiness, which saves it from being mere misery music. The guitars are often sledgehammer blows on one side and brass section-like bombast on the other. When good doom bands play live, people’s backs arch forward and back as if buffeted by the strikes. Celeste slap you around constantly and mercilessly. Whiplash!
The song titles are all in French, and lyrics are evidently not available. Dissatisfied, I asked vocalist Johan for the scoop. Here’s the two-question interview:
What are the English translations of the song titles?
Well, in English, almost all the titles become ugly, but I’ll try to translate them.
1. These cuties with misty glasses (sounds really crappy in English)
2. Their hands broken like their memories
3. There would be pigs who’d like to stifle you
4. In Herd they’re Wolves, while they look like Lambs
5.(S)
6. A pure mirror which makes you miserable
7. As if never ever anything could be magical againWhat inspired this record, lyrically or otherwise?
What inspired me is my life and the way I see women. This is an album totally dedicated to feminity, from its worst aspects to its best. I tried to picture my vision of femininity, and I tried to deal with the way men behaviours can affect it. As usual it deals with very dark topics, but there’s also some hints of optimism and nostalgia.
There you have it: the most violent album ever inspired by women. Make of that what you will.
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