Album Review: Initiation - Noir Berger

Album Review

Artist: Initiation 

Noir Berger

Release Date February, 07, 2024

Lordalie Noire

Review by Rick Eaglestone

France's Initiation summon eight infernal hymns on their most recent offering Noir Berger

Translated as Black Shepherd  this 5 year journey from the bands original three track demo begins  with foreboding tones and sweeping solos for the album instrumental opener L'emissaire before taking a trip down memory lane by revisiting early demo track Noir Berger Des Ames - this is a great choice as not only does it give the band to tweak it with a modern twist but certainly shows their maturity as musicians.

This weaves into the thundering drums patterns of Derniere Audience and eerie crafted vocals compliment the cold aesthetic of the album and is easily the crowning glory of the release, the mid point guitar solos are also something to sit back too and fully immerse yourself in as they are quite narrative in their delivery.

Moving to the albums half way mark with Dans La Mort, I'illusion gives the musicians a real creative outpouring which for me really encapsulates Initation as a collective unit and with this being almost the start of trio of seven minute plus tracks the time is effortlessly put to good use as this is followed up with Le Champ Des Brules & Rituels all in their each individual continuing to provide an outpouring of atmospheric savagery brimming with inspiration of the bleakness of the Scandinavian scene.

Concluding with the duo of Nes Pour Souffrir and L'initiation it is entirely evident that the long structures delivered entirely in French really feels like this particular ascension from the underground has been meticulously thought out through a powerful bond and diverse exploration. 

Noir Berger is out now