The French Black Metal band Arkaist, hailing from the historic city of Rennes in Brittany, is one of those mysterious new acts that seem to emerge from the shadows fully formed. With no prior demos or EPs to their name, they’ve gone straight to releasing a full-length album. Founded in 2023, Aube Noir marks their debut offering — and with no previous recordings or teasers, the release feels sudden, enigmatic, and in true underground spirit.
However, a closer look at the lineup reveals this is no group of novices. The members are drawn from several known projects in the French Black Metal underground. We see Cryptic, drummer for The True Goatblood and Azagtath, alongside vocalist Maeror, who also lends his voice to both Azagtath and Formoraich. Temporary bassist Gwenc’hlann An Teñval is likewise a member of Formoraich, suggesting that Arkaist is more a convergence of seasoned forces than a brand-new band from scratch.
Musically, Aube Noir draws heavily from the Scandinavian Black Metal scene of the 1990s. There are clear nods to early Immortal and Darkthrone, with icy tremolo riffs, blastbeats, and raw, rasping vocals dominating the sound. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing — the material is executed with conviction — but over the course of the album, a lack of distinct identity starts to show. Many of the tracks follow a familiar template, and the record risks becoming somewhat one-dimensional because of it.
That said, there are standout moments where Arkaist hint at a much broader creative range. “Terre Ancestrale” is a key example — opening with an acoustic passage that evokes a kind of revolutionary French folk spirit, it then unfolds into clean, dramatic vocals and sweeping keyboard parts. It’s a bold contrast to the rest of the album and feels genuinely fresh. One can’t help but wish the band would explore this side of themselves more.
“Linceul d’Ether” also takes a more atmospheric approach, with greater layering and dynamic range. The inclusion of clean, spoken-word vocals in French adds a ceremonial, almost ritualistic element to the track. These choices make the song stand out and suggest a unique artistic voice waiting to be fully realized.
In conclusion, Aube Noir is a solid debut rooted deeply in the traditions of second wave Black Metal. If you’re in the mood for a nostalgic journey back to the early ‘90s, this album delivers the goods. But if you’re looking for something forward-thinking or genre-defying, you may need to wait for a future release. That said, there is real potential here — and if Arkaist continues to develop their more atmospheric and experimental inclinations, their next offering could be something truly compelling.
70/100
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