MARCHE FUNEBRE PRE LISTENING
MARCHE FUNEBRE invited us to visit their prelistening party in Mechelen. The band released their album INTO THE ARMS OF DARKNESS on February 20th, but we had the chance to enjoy the fruits of their labor in the cosy setting of cafe DE PEKTON.
In an introduction by a father of one of the bandmembers, the third album of MARCHE FUNEBRE is discribed as slow, nihilistic and melodical recognisable. Time to see what's what.
As opening song, DEPRIVED has a well chosen, clean theatrical vocal line. Supported by guitars that stand out by their lightness, the opening moments of the song definately don't try to shock the listener. That lightness is confirmed by the percussive countre times, that add to the general atmosphere of doom but accessible music. If anything, the riffs have been influenced by some more common genres in metal such as heavy metal and powermetal.
CAPITAL OF RAIN starts with rolling, thundering drums and deep and growling vocals. The frequent changes in tempo and speed of the song, bring it to life. The sharpness of the drums, seems to tell me more aboout the terrain that's subject to the songs lyrics. The long and echoing riffs, seem to resonate in my head. They seem to try and crack my skull. Still needing my head for a few years, I'm glad I can find some releaf in the lightness of the clean vocals.
UNEVEN begins with gentle stokes of guitar strings. Joined by the bass, this intro sounds warm and cosy. Those two instruments are joined by a vocal line that comes pretty close to what the French call a "chanson". Further on in the song, the guitarrifs bring me in close contact with some examples of NWOBHM. Alternating with what I would call the sound of Funeral Doom, the guitars take a leading roll throughout the whole track. Ending the song with full-sounding set of guitars, I have to wonder how many influences played a part in this single song. By now, it becomes clear that MARCHE FUNEBRE have found it in themselves to deliver a very strong album. The sound offers the listener a variation of emotions, feelings and expressions. This album is written by a very grown up band. The technical level, needed to play music like this, can't be stressed enough. Doom has the reputation to be slow, but I'm impressed by the speed of both the drums and the melodic guitar. Especially his strumming right hand, must be well develloped.
LULLABY OF INSANITY sounds just like the title suggests. If this is a childrens song, it must be for some insane critters. Deamonic growling, broken open by lively guitars. The same deamonic vocals, battling for prominence with the guitars, further in the song. Crispy, but pounding rumbles of the drums. And near the end of the song I get beaten up with a large number of changes in tempo. Luckily, the actual end of LULLABY OF INSANITY suits my pain slightly, with some gentle and soft picking on strings.
THE GARDEN OF ALL THINGS WILD brings us toward the end of the album. Still 12 minutes 30 to go, and not even the longest song on the album. One of the slowest songs on the album, and the tone stays poundingly low. The treath that goes out of the changes in tempo, make sure, you will remember you are listening to a doom band.
MARCHE FUNEBRE have dilivered a great example of doom that is loaded with finesse, darkness and craftsmanship. Granting a 9,4/10, was a very easy thing to do.
Wim Op de beeck
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