Houle
Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire
**** out of *****
The Paris based Houle deliver their debut full length in Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire as the outfit plunges the depths and rises to the crest of the waves with their self described "marine black metal". That feeling can be felt by non-French speakers before the music even starts just by checking out the evocative album cover art and wind swept logo.
The bands name means "sea swell" and the ocean currents drive the band as the albums title translates to "Ashen Sky and Black Misery" as the horrors of being caught in a storm are delivered through the bands tunes.
The quartet of Græy Gaast Bass, Vikser Drums, Crabe Guitars (lead), Zéphyr Guitars (rhythm), Adsagsona Vocals, wear fishermen gear on stage and are living the motif of the record as the songs pummel like the never ending waves. Opening with a bit of natural ocean sounds which turn into sea shanty's the album eases you in before the slamming drums, meaty guitars and screeching vocals of "La Danse du Rocher" which uses dramatic stop starts and a spoken word section to deliver the feeling.
While all the lyrics are scream/sung/hissed/spoken in French, the metal vocals styles are an added sound, and also the band includes the lyrics for translation purposes. The nautical theme keeps getting hammered home on the groove metal tinged "Mère Nocturne" while the drums are the highlight of "Sur les Braises du Foyer" which builds to cinematic, almost pretty, finale.
The more pummeling and direct "Derrière l'Horizon" is straight-ahead before an acoustic gurgling instrumental "Et Puis le Silence" simulates drowning. Things aren't finished however as "Sel, Sang et Gerçures" rumbles up from the depths with excellent bass, crushing riffs and pumping engine that soars.
Album closer "Née Des Embruns" is the band in one long song as the 12 minute track starts with water washing, acoustic strums, whistling sounds before the huge swelling riffs and mighty drumming rolls in. The track takes those ancient sea shanty's and weaves their tone into the melodic metal work before dipping into more acoustic riffs around the seven minute mark. A slower, doom focused ending wraps things up on a dour note while Adsagsona repeats "Dis-moi, dis-moi combien se noient..." "Tell me how many are drowning." which can be literal or metaphorical, moving beyond the theme in a unique way.
Thematic metal albums that deliver musically are always a joy and Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire by Houle is a good one that can be compared to Mastodon's Leviathan and Pelagial by The Ocean.
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