French metal band Alcest are very adept at challenging any preconceived notions as to what metal music is supposed to be, often eschewing traditional sounds or elements, and embracing whatever style they want to in order to create the kind of music they want to. I think that's admirable, even if it can piss off purists or leave old fans behind. Follow your muse. Anyway, Alcest has a new album, "Kodama," coming out in September on Prophecy, and this Japanese influenced record finds the band taking many of the shoegaze elements they played with on 2014's "Shelter" and pushing them back into a darker, more metal context. Listen to "Oiseaux de Proie" below.
French black metal band Alcest take the more atmospheric route on their latest album "Shelter," channeling their inner U2 and Sigur Ros to create some really beautiful music. The album is out on Prophecy later this month, but watch the video for "Opale" below.
