Maximum Metal Rating Legend

When I think of black metal, I think of a sound that elicits a dark, cold atmosphere that is bleak, stark and unfriendly. The guitars sound like a swarm of angry bees and the vocals are venomous and emotive. What Les Chants Du Hasard has created with this album is none of the above but is an attempt by the lone creative force behind the project to redefine black metal. What you get on this release is one of the creepiest things I've possibly heard in my entire time of listening to metal. This effort is mainly an orchestral score with evil Benedictine monk chants and some pretty sinister black metal vocals sprinkled in throughout. There are no guitars, no drums or bass at all on this album and I didn't find myself missing them. For many people, the complete absence of guitars, drums, bass and vocals for the most part might turn them away from this album. Passing over it because it's lacking those things would be an error of epic proportions. The quality of the orchestral pieces combined with the creepy chanting and sinister vocals really delivers a very striking package and take on black metal that I guarantee you will not find anywhere else. This is one of the most intriguing releases I've heard this year and because it's so different, it makes it really enjoyable and the atmosphere alone is worth the listen. If you're looking for something super creepy and very different, then this is definitely the release for you.