Text and Photos by Scarlett Rose.
Though their music often evokes images of whimsical, faraway lands that only exist in the mind’s eye, a cool ocean breeze passing through glowing city streets seemed a fitting back drop for the dulcet tones of French “blackgaze” outfit ALCEST to weave their magic. On April 15th, downtown Long Beach became host to a variety of excited characters. Whether in black, band-patched shrouds, or gauzy white, the air of excitement could be felt by all who lined up in front of the Blue Cafe to pay homage to volume and otherworldly music.
Full review and gallery after the jump…
Once inside, hessians and seekers alike were free to mill about the ground level bar, or brave the stairway down to the stage area. Dark, punxingly quaint and well-equipped, the room suddenly became dimmer, it’s only illumination being a projector set at the back of the stage. As glassy images of seagulls soaring above the ocean appeared on screen behind the drumkit, a sudden tidal wave of volume crashed over those standing apt for DESTROY JUDAS – the cathartic, tinnitus-inducing, doom metal band from neighboring Orange, CA.
With 3 guitarists also weaving harsh vocals, bass and a drummer that brought to mind the tattooed, tribal mad-drumsmen beating his ferocity into the kit – there is only word to truly describe the impressive band: crushing. Their heart-wrenchingly beautiful doom will leave you feeling tossed about an ocean of thought-demons, before washing up on shore with a new way of seeing the sands beneath you…for better or for worse.
After the melancholic tides of Destroy Judas, it was a slightly jarring transition to American black metal outfit LAKE OF BLOOD, but their set was still welcomed by the crowd. It’s to be noted that the band has a diverse look to each member, which carries into their sound – one guitarist hacked away at his instrument with fierce passion and flying locks of hair. The other guitarist was skillful in the dances of his fingers, plucking away at the strings with precision. Though by no means reinventing the wheel of black metal, the musicians were committed and put forth a sincere effort during their set. Notably, their singer was adept at creating what one would think was a digitally-enhanced vortex-like effect upon his growling laments.
A vast majority of those in the small venue were looking forward to the next act – IDES OF GEMINI. Comprised of two ladies clad in stark-white dresses, and a bearded gentleman on guitar, their music was as striking as their appearance. The ghostlike voice, made full by subtle backups by the drummer, floated over coarse guitars flawlessly. The incandescent lilts created a fitting atmosphere, and didn’t leave one feeling forced to be meaningful or thought-provoked. The trio simply played their antique lace hymns, and drew those listening into the smoky ambience of their music effortlessly.
The somewhat startling transitions between each band was, upon retrospection, appreciated; a hilly journey through aural valleys, dense with thickets of a wide variety of emotions. All paths led to the anticipated summerland waiting at the end of the night – the post-black metal hybrid ALCEST. Singer, songwriter, guitarist, spinner of audial fairy tales and lamentations…all apt titles for Neige, the prime force behind the band, who took to the stage with the rest of the band quietly. The captivated audience’s excitement was brought to it’s peak with the opening 3 notes of Autre Temps, the first of many lustrous tunes from their latest effort, Les Voyage des L’Ame. The musicians were in top form, weaving together their respective parts flawlessly from the very first song, on through to the last note of the night. As a frontman, Neige is a subtle presence onstage, but only physically – his voice was clear and soared high above the full web of sound each song spun.
The crowd seemed well-pleased by the variety of Alcest’s set. The title track from their debut, “Souvenirs d’un autre monde”, brought about howls of approval, while Les Ires saw heads of wild manes banging away up front. The band’s stage decor was minimal – swirling clouds of peacock green and blue smoke tendriled around them as they played, often-times with their heads bowed in concentration. Soft, melancholy tunes like “Les Voyages de lame”, were interspersed with such blast beat-laden melodies as “Printemps emeraude”, all of which came together to form a well-paced set that touched upon the hallmarks of the band’s discography.
Despite his quiet demeanor, and soft-lidded gaze, Neige’s rasping shrieks cut through on the rare occasion that the set called for it. It was a treat to hear the raw vocal style, whether prominent on a favorite such as “Percees de Lumiere”, or as an inflection in one of the new Les Voyages songs. What seemed to be the highlight for many in the diverse crowd that night, however, was “Ecailles de Lune, part 1”. Conjuring hypnotic imagery of a distant land beneath the sea, the 10 minute opus held the crowd in rapture of it’s smooth transitions. From frantically-played distorted guitars, to lambent, oceanic chord progressions, the audience remained in reverent awe of the song before erupting into waves of applause at it’s end.
The show left nothing to want for a fan of the enchanting ALCEST. Their minimalistic approach to a unique blend of black metal, shoegaze, and quixotic storytelling, easily recreates in a live setting what can only be described as a sound that is, simply, theirs. Ethereal, harsh, powerful… The otherworldly band easily lives up to one’s expectations, leaving fans with a moving, irreplaceable experience of a realm far beyond their own.
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