Quintessence is the debut full-length of Sombre Forêts, a Canadian one-man-band indulging in dismal and misanthropic Black Metal.

The opener is a three minutes lasting intro existing of different noises and sounds. Thereupon follows with La Royaume the first real track, which is, in the first moment, reminding on Xasthur's record "The Funeral of Being". This proximity results from the sluggish characteristic, which is matched with those keyboard sounds and the distorted vocals. But gradually, this proximity to Xasthur is evaporating and La Royaume is increasingly getting more independent. This is exceedingly striking when ceasing the keyboard and the guitars are getting distinctly heard able. Despite the raw tonal condition La Royaume is and remains a harmonic track of calm structure and melancholic atmosphere. The rhythm of this over ten minutes lasting song is throughout remaining dragging, but here and then are slight variations of the drumming. It's a diversified song, possessing especially during those harmonic and melodic parts some certain perfect alternations.
Vents De Désespoirs starts very rough, a little bit powerful, and is strongly listening to old Burzum. But when inserting the vocals, this similarity is also gone and a sluggish song, of raw guitar imprinted, is opening. Sporadically appears a calm atmospheric keyboard in the background. Cold and extremely drugging it continues on Au solstice de l'hiver that for minutes passes by mournfully. After round about six minutes a clear acoustic guitar part appears, which above all is going on powerful and harsh, before fading out in atmospheric frostiness. The following Automne is structured similar, determined by a very long sluggish passage, which has been suited by a dark arrangement and where sometime a clear passage is following. L'Abîme is less differing from those. It's also dragging and melancholic, but Sombre Forêts is isolated seduced to rough, occasionally a little bit snotty riffing, lending the music and its atmosphere in certain aggressively.

Quintessence is a very harmonic record, which is, inspired of some short-lasting similarities to well-known bands, totally regarding a quite independent succeeded piece. Quintessence lets hear at one, because the atmospheric density is constant and let you dip in coldness and melancholia. What I miss are moments of toughness and extremity. Sporadic aggressive pushes and arrangements should probably be good for it. But it's the first album and a potential, Sombre Forêts for the future can set up, is definitely available.


Aceust

(Translation by: G.P.)

01. Quintessence
02. Le royaume
03. Vents de désespoirs
04. Au solstice de l'hiver
05. Automne
06. L'Abîme
07. L'enchantement des forêts


SOMBRES FORÊTS
SEPULCHRAL PRODUCTIONS