Malebeste is a young Black Metal band from Angoulême, France. They are currently among the promising emerging forces in the country’s underground scene. The release of their album on Antiq Records is a first step towards the recognition they deserve, as this debut full length offers some good material, and some very good elements.
The album opens with an intro that perfectly reflects the band’s historical inspirations and the almost academic approach of its members. Then comes the assault. An incredibly catchy riff immediately hits us between the ears, and it quickly becomes clear that these musicians are experienced and know exactly what they are doing. No hesitation, no faltering, the attack is underway and we get our fucking faces steamrolled.
Overall, the songwriting on Menestherou is of good composition. The tracks offer enough depth to hold our attention, and even throw in a touch of originality to spice things up. The drumming is a major asset. The good use of toms enhances the more soaring passages, while the rhythmic precision of the heavier parts further reinforces the feeling that everything happening on this record is fully under control.
The guitar riffs and melodies are clearly Malebeste’s greatest strength, (although the bass is certainly no slouch either). Some passages occasionally remember Necrophobic or Dissection, without resorting to mindless imitation.
The variety of tempos and rhythms also prevents the album from becoming repetitive. Malebeste skilfully alternates between aggressive passages and occasional hints of emotional, epic melodies without ever sounding artificial or chaotic. For instance, the more mid tempo opening of ‘Palefroi du Diable’ provides a clever contrast with the more direct and aggressive approach of the album’s opening tracks.
The vocals are equally well controlled and bring to mind the French underground scene of the early 2010’s, but it is above all the expressive delivery that stands out. Rather than remaining monotonous, the vocals adapt to the atmosphere of each track, reinforcing the different emotions conveyed by the instrumental parts and lyrical themes. The subject matter of the lyrics, however, may divide opinion, but that is ultimately a matter of personal taste that everyone will have to judge for themselves.
Certain sounds also remind me somewhat of Valuatir/Inis Gwenva, Anthennath, or some of the productions released by Ossuraire Records back then. There is that same raspy vocal style and that fairly distinctive sound that characterised the golden age of the Poitou scene nearly twenty years ago. The production is also of very good quality and well suited to the band’s style. The only minor criticism I would do is that the bass could occasionally have been given a little more presence in the mix, especially considering that the bass play is not bad at all.
In any case, Menestherou delivers several memorable moments, such as the ending of ‘Chasse Gallery’, the tremolo melody on ‘Melouziena’, or the passage around 1:15 on ‘Menestherou’, which absolutely blows the walls apart. These are the moments that stick with you, the extra spark that makes you realise Malebeste have considerable potential and are a band worth keeping a close eye on in the years to come, if they continue down this path.
Recommended!
