Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Les Chants de Nihil - Le tyran et l'esthète (2021)

I have struggled to find the time to fully take in Le tyran l'Esthète in all honesty.  Its blend of black metal and more traditional metal riffs is a wonderfully melodic mix of the best of both worlds, delivering lush and vivid storylines well.  The driving rhythm that propels the Les Chants de Nihil engine forward has a rich bass sound that sits full in the mix and compliments the menagerie of activity that is going on around it.  Whether it is the tumultuous tremolo riffs, the scathing vocals, choral accompaniments or the (slightly muted) bash of the drums, the bass is always there, audible yet not imposing.

This is well written stuff folks, this cannot be denied.  There is a real sense of intrigue to what the band are plotting to deliver next as one track finishes and another begins.  That epic sense of build and tension is never too far away on Le tyran l'Esthète and if you have the time, switch off all the lights and listen to this in the dark and through headphones if you can to truly enjoy the experience.  In a year of great metal releases, I cannot think of anything else that sounds quite like this album.  Likewise, there is nothing that probably touches it in terms of ambition either.

The fact is though, despite its obvious appeal, I do not take a lot away from this album that reminds me of why I need to revisit it again.  At times it is almost too epic and grandiose for its own good.  Whilst it is playing, I am largely transfixed.  There is so much win on this album that it should process a lot easier on the old memory banks than it actually does. I can only put this down to feeling flooded when I listen to the album.  When the waters subside and I look at the wash there is very little left to focus on; as such this is an album that is very much one that is purely in the moment in terms of where the enjoyment begins and ends.  This sounds like a really fucking stupid statement, however most of my favourite albums I can play through in my head or do so on highlights at least, Le tyran et l'Esthète just has no sustainability beyond its actual play time.

I am convinced more plays will probably reward this with a revised rating come 2022.  However, with the year drawing to a close and rotation time tight as the AOTY list takes it final form this album currently sits a lot further down the list than it perhaps deserves too; on paper at least.