Length 41:39 Artist Alcest Label Prophecy Productions | Producer Martin Koller Release date 29 March 2010 | |
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Released March 29, 2010 (2010-03-29) Studio Klangschmiede Studio E, Mellrichstadt Écailles de Lune
(2010) Le Secret (Reissue)
(2011) Genres Black metal, Shoegazing, Post-rock, Blackgaze, Post-metal Similar Alcest albums, Post-rock albums | ||
Alcest cailles de lune pt 1
Écailles de Lune (English: Moon Scales) is the second studio album by French shoegazing band Alcest, released on March 29, 2010 by Prophecy Productions. It is the first album featuring Winterhalter on drums, marking it the first release of the band without Neige as sole member and instrumentalist.
Contents
Although it continues into the direction started with the first album Souvenirs d'un autre monde, Écailles de Lune marks a darker, louder transition into Shoegazing, while also coming back to the band's black metal origins as its first release to feature harsh vocals. "Solar Song" marks the first song of the band in English language, and "Sur l'océan couleur de fer" is a musical version of a poem by Paul-Jean Toulet. "Abysses" was written and performed in its entirety by Fursy Teyssier of Les Discrets.
Track listing
All lyrics written by Neige except "Sur l'océan couleur de fer" by Paul-Jean Toulet; all music composed by Neige except "Abysses" by Fursy Teyssier.
Critical reception
The album received positive reviews upon release. Ned Raggett of AllMusic gave the album 4/5, and in particular praised Neige's vocal performance, writing that "Neige's singing is some of his loveliest at many points throughout the album, a soft keen toward the middle of the second half of the title track, a low and contemplative rumination elsewhere – if not notably different from his earlier work in approach, it's at its most enjoyable here, and perhaps at its most beautifully serene on "Solar Song," vocals overlaid to lovely effect."
Invisible Oranges praised the album, concluding that "Sometimes the things you love don’t need or don’t benefit from explanation. The singularity of purpose oozes off this album – you just get it. Lead guitarist and compositional lynchpin Neige says Alcest is his way of musically translating an “indescribably beautiful haven” that he first perceived as a child. That seems to be the common thread between the artists Alcest allegedly hybridize, My Bloody Valentine and Burzum: a single-minded longing for alternate realities. Kudos to Alcest for bridging musical worlds by listening to their heart."
Personnel
Songs
1Écailles de lune (Part I)9:52
2Écailles de lune (Part II)9:49
3Percées de lumière6:38