Band: HYRGAL
Country: France
Title: Serpentine
Label: Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions
Year: 2018
Style: Black Metal
Review:
Weird case the one of this album: initially it was released in October 2017 by Naturmacht Productions from Germany, and not even half a year after it was re-released by Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions from France, speculations might be plenty as it's at least an unusual situation. Anyway, the reality is this trio released a hell of a debut album, and being backed up by two (good) underground labels can only do them well. The band was active between 2007 and 2010 probably as a one man project and it released a split with Kairn in very limited edition, then it went silent until 2016 when it resurfaced as a trio and started working on this debut release. 7 tracks (2 of them instrumental), a mix between modern Black Metal and Post Black Metal, so a pretty avantgarde music I'd say, one that balances melody, msytery and aggressiveness. The audition flows perfectly, meaning the production is spot on, nothing to bad mouth on it, but also the compositions, the song structures are of a nature to keep you glued to your player for these 36 minutes of playing time. The harmonies of this album alternate between calculated chaos, fast and dense rhythms, and mesmerizing, mid-paced Post Metal passages to allow the whole to breathe. An excellent new French band to keep an eye on!
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 8.5/10