| Alcest's Écailles de Lune is nothing short of a transcendent journey — a masterful blend of dreamlike beauty and emotional intensity that confirms Neige’s singular vision as one of the most distinct voices in atmospheric metal. Where Alcest’s debut laid the groundwork, this second full-length soars, capturing a balance between ethereal serenity and black metal’s raw emotional core with extraordinary grace.
The opening title track, split into two movements, sets the tone with shimmering guitars and gentle melodies that swell into moments of cathartic heaviness. Rather than pushing for aggression, Neige steers the compositions into waves of melancholic grandeur. His clean vocals — delicate, wistful, and imbued with yearning — glide effortlessly over lush textures, while his harsh rasps return with purpose, adding a spectral edge without ever disrupting the album’s luminous flow.
Each song feels like a chapter in a nocturnal reverie, especially “Solar Song,” where layers of harmonized vocals and expansive guitar work evoke both nostalgia and hope. The production, rich yet spacious, allows every element to breathe, enveloping the listener in a sound that feels both intimate and cosmic.
With Écailles de Lune, Alcest doesn’t just refine their sound — they define it. It’s a work that invites deep reflection, a nocturne for the soul that lingers long after its final note. |
