Monarque / Forteresse / Csejthe / Chasse-Galerie – Légendes (2014)

Arriving today from Sepulchral Productions we have a four-way split release that provides a nice introduction to four very solid Black Metal bands from Canada. Divided in two discs with each featuring a song on each side, this Canadian label does a great job in matching similar bands with sense for the more melodic and atmospheric side of BM.

Opening with Fortresse, we have a punishing Atmospheric/Depressive BM sound filled with intense riffs and demoralizing vocals. While the song is quite engaging, it gets to be a bit repetitive, but this is not a total deal breaker. Side B of this disc has Chasse-Galerie and their well-developed track “Les Bois des Belles”. This song has a better structure to it, merging incisive riffs, a pulsating Bass guitar line and traditional vocals.

Monarque kicks off the second disc with a savage display of traditional Black Metal. Their song,
“La Griffe du Diablo” is a pummeling piece with a certain Finnish Black Metal vibe similar to Horna and the likes. Closing the release we have a more melancholic side of Black Metal with Csejthe’s “Murmures Nocturnes”. With a very passive buildup and a combination of violent onslaught of riffs and screams blended with hypnotic melodic passages, this is by far the best track in the compilation.

As a whole, “Légendes” does a great job in presenting the Black Metal talent found in Canada with four excellent bands. With each band following their own paths, it is quite enjoyable to listen to their own interpretations of BM and how they deliver their unique views of it. As a BM fan, this is one release that should be in your collection, especially the version limited to 100 copies.

Label: Sepulchral Productions

Release: March 28th, 2014

Genre: Black Metal

Country: Canada