Grisatre — Paroxystique

Visions of bleakness, the feeling of being overwhelmed by grief and the coldness of isolation; these are the things that describe the newest release by Grisatre. Grisatre was founded in France in 2006, the project of Rokkr (all instruments and vocals).  After a few demos and eps Grisatre returns with the 3rd full length, Paroxystique.

“Meditation” begins the 5 song album; it’s a lush ambient beginning that melts into a dirge like composition.  It is a slow and depressive instrumental with lovely bits of melody thrown in; the guitar parts are quite lyrical.  Moments switch from stirring to somber, punctuated by fantastic guitar work.

“Contemplation” is next, and it’s a long one, averaging about 14 minutes.  The song starts quickly enough with balls out Armageddon screaming vocals.  Dissonant notes played over a melodic rhythm balance out some very quiet and fierce moments.  It’s rather good but undecided whether it can hold the interest for 14 odd minutes.  There’s a bit of meandering but it is saved by excellent musicianship.  “Vae Soli” (roughly translated “Woe To the Man Alone”) is the second instrumental here.  In a short time Grisatre is able to plunge us into a chilling and haunting atmosphere.  The ominous tone interplayed with machine-like effect evokes a nod to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks.  We are transported to a place of weird stillness, eerie, but welcoming. Guitars played ever so softly dissolve into a desolate echo.  “L’astre Gris” (Gray Star) starts off with a plodding melody and tortured screams.  This segues into an ambient stillness only to burst into a riot of powerful sound.  “Paroxystique” finishes things off with lilting acoustic guitars that soon melt into minor chord exquisiteness.  It’s all a din of distorted chords, yet as the melody develops the song twists and turns into a dreamy ambient (yet chilling) mood. First impressions are quite good, as said earlier the music and compositions are above par.   Some of the slower moments deliver an uncompromising sadness that feels tangible. 

Yes the initial thought might be this sounds a bit like Alcest and Agalloch (and it does in an obscure way) but Grisatre seem to be able to consistently add a dark and quietly somber feeling to their songs that the other afore mentioned artists sometimes lack.  Secondly the ferocity of Paroxystique is nicely organic; nothing feels contrived or done for the sake of trying to be extreme.