FORTERESSE - Thèmes pour la Rébellion

Forteresse - Thèmes pour la Rébellion (2016, Sepulchral Productions)

The legendary band of Québécois Black Metal, or as they described it in their mother tongue Métal Noir québécois, Forteresse has already a wide fanbase and is probably one of the most well known Black Metal acts from Québec. As a side note, it is also my home and place of birth but I must add that I am not in touch in any way with the band and I got this promo by the usual daily promo emails. Nonetheless, it was one of the releases I was most excited to receive since there was a long wait and high expectations for Thèmes pour la Rébellion.

Their themes and concepts revolve around patriotic involvement in Québec and the History of the Province. With Thèmes pour la Rébellion, Forteresse has left behind most of their usual more folkloric instruments and got closer to an epurated Black Metal sound. The album works as a coherent whole in its homogenic tenure and a monochrome texture of intensity and fast songs. It is a record that can be compared to Marduk’s Heaven Shall Burn… When We Are Gathered’s violence and unity. Its execution is flawless and there isn’t a second for weakness here. Even the final track, ‘’Le Dernier Voyage’’, an atmospheric piece, reminded me of the early notes of Immortal’s ‘’Beyond the North Waves’’.

Produced by the prestigious studio Necromorbus, the album is not compressed and nothing is distant or loose. This makes it for a rich and deep sound. It leaves the traditionnal lo-fi of old-school Black Metal way behind without compromising the raw efficiency of the bursting guitars and the thundering drums. The best thing in Thèmes pour la Rébellion, is how every member does his part without shadowing another. It is cohesive and the band really forms an entity.

With Thèmes pour la Rébellion, Forteresse has put everything in place to make a classical intemporal piece of Black Metal. It is out of the trends or the currents and it feels fresh as well as classic. Forteresse was already in the league of International Black Metal bands but now their are in the major league and will definitely be battling for the best releases of the year title.

9.0