In the raw and aggressive sounding style of black metal the French underground scene has established a unique method since the beginning of the millennium. This form of musical expression is diverse and disassociated itself from the Scandinavian black metal style. And to elaborate more I can say that France has produced some of the best and respectable bands in terms of quality. The French black metal scene is a forward thinking mechanism that found its originality within their musical direction. With bands such as Deathspell Omega, Blut Aus Nord, Antaeus and Seth in particular, which have applied new creativity and seemingly re-defined the future sound of what so called black metal music. Beside the fundamental and the unorthodox wave of black metal the French underground scene has also acquired certain traits that later on became distinguished by technical skills, with their effectual sense of dissonance.

The revolutionary mindset had its immediate impact on other underground scenes as well for example the Icelandic black metal bands have extracted the element of dissonance and made further alterations to their musical template of black metal. The influential role of the Norwegian black metal scene have also had its mark upon the Icelandic black metal bands. Thus they cleverly combined the art of dissonance from Deathspell Omega and made it as a custom to their sound. The elicitation method here was fruitful and productive and initially many entities and musical bands emerged and established a new wave of black metal style. Those who seek newer bands that play a superlative form of black metal and have a supplementary attachment to occultism.

I recommend you to check the sophomore album La Croix de sang ( The blood cross ) of the French black metal outfit Drastus which was recently released by Norma Evangelium Diaboli. Formed in the year 2014 by the sole member Drastus, La Croix de sang is an occult black metal album that amalgamate the elements of dissonance with tremolo pickings. Drastus musical idiosyncrasy is close to bands such as Aosoth and Antaeus, the abrasive guitar riffs on the album and the dynamic role of the drummer Sad acts as the mechanical and the driving force of the album.

Nihil Sine Polum immediately seeps into the dark and ambiguous aura swept by vicious high pitched vocals and hellish riffs. As soon as the majestic opening takes hold of your soul and prepares you for a long journey into the spectral dimensions. The second track Ashura begins with ominous vocals and sudden blast beats, that magnifies the intensity of the sheer performance. That is mainly outlined by the malevolent riffs and blast beats, La Croix de sang is a complex album dominated by sophisticated style of drumming that is splendidly performed by blast beats and highly spirited by the extraordinary guitar work.

With six full tracks and a short ambient interlude presented with obscure aura, Drastus’ interpretation of black metal reflects the opaque nature of the band from the dark aura which surrounds the album. Crawling Fire is a menacing track defined by its frightening atmosphere of the menacing riffs and high pitched vocals. The most engrossing aspect of La Croix de sang is the thrilling moments which captures the listener with its dark and haunting contents. While melodies are presented on tracks like The Crown of Death, the amalgamation of clean vocals coalesce with the intricate drums that transmute this track into a grisly and nightmarish soundtrack.

The wicked tunes of Occisor breaks free with torrential waves of dissonance and interweave with ceremonial chants that later on shifts into a forbidding aura. The closing Constrictor Torrents is built upon many layers and steadily it maintains its depth but it also includes many dark passages. Drastus avoids repetitions the songs are mostly weaved of several compositions which are mainly dark. La Croix de sang is one of the best black metal albums of the year 2019.

Release Date: March 1st, 2019
Label: Norma Evangelium Diaboli
Track list:
1.Nihil Sine Polum
2.Ashura
3.Crawling Fire
4.The Crown of Death
5.Hermetic Silence
6.Occisor
7.Constrictor Torrents