Ciel Noir

No to be mixed up with the Italian black metal commando of the same name this review is related to the German band. The guys behind this act have been active in various other bands and projects so it should not come as surprise that there is a certain level of professionalism to be found here. So far there has been released on full length in 2014, titled “Herbstmär”. This one has been followed up in 2019 by an EP named “Ciel Noir”. While technically listed as EP we are talking about five songs and a running time of nearly half an hour so you surely get your money’s worth.

There is so a lot going on in the timeframe of the EP so that you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve dosed on a much larger quantity. There is a full body of work, moving up and down, back and forth across the annuals of emotive black metal. There is talent, charisma, and enough memorable moments to make this a really captivating work. The album’s replay value is unquestionable, and each consecutive spin will make you discover some new details you might have missed before.

The instrumentation is also superb, creating a seamless transition from mellow to heavy. Elements of melodic mystique are present in each of the songs, and while there are not so many straight-in-your-face sections the ambient soundscapes and the fantastic atmosphere more than make up for it. Immorior are capable of tapping into a wealth of styles and influences in order to create the right kind of mood.

The songs consist of various parts, ranging from offering melancholic and depressive moments to some lighter parts. The transition between these different sections have been carefully crafted, transforming each song into a story in itself. The vocals are urgent, and together with the desperate guitar harmonies they create intense feelings. Just check out as example the middle part of track number three “Monument of Time” and you might understand what I mean.

The production is absolutely top and does not leave anything to be desired. Clear and crisp, but no too sterile. All the melodic elements are perfectly audible. Releases also as tape and nice digipak this one is great addition to the collection.