Over the past decade, France has become one of the richest goldmines when it comes to Black Metal. The number of emerging bands allied to the high quality standards that these acts have been presenting, makes hunting for new bands an enriching musical experience. Lifestream is one of those pleasant discoveries.
Their debut album entitled “Post Ecstatic Experience” has been released by Emanations, a sub-label of the excellent Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions (LADLO). Other great records have seen the light of day with the help if these labels: Barús, In Cauda Venenum, Pénitence Onirique, or the great records by Regarde les Hommes Tomber, Deluge, or The Great Old Ones. So when there’s a new release coming from there, it’s always something good to explore.
This case is no exception. What does Lifestream deliver? A solid, dense and melodically haunting Atmospheric Black Metal record. One has to let himself dive into the swirling atmosphere created by the furious riffing, low volume drums, growling vocals, with the occasional emerging keyboards and synthesizers. There are symphonic elements but don’t let it fool you: they’re great and very well used.
After a droning intro, we are blasted with “II. An Unfathomable Dereliction”. A track which instantly grabs your attention due to the raw, yet melodic riffs embraced by the carefully placed keyboards. Once the growling vocals kick in, it all makes sense and it makes your pulse speed up. Lifestream is not only fast. This album shows great moments where fast and slow meet, where fury meets calmness. A detail which proves that the band can create good transitions.
The crown jewel is the song “Parasite Glory”. After one third into the song, the band takes us on a overwhelming journey. This is a song which passes the 10-minute mark, but we don’t even feel time passing by. The hypnotic lead guitar riffs grab you as the mid-paced drums set the pace while your ears listen from above to the choirs. A truly majestic piece of Atmospheric Black Metal.
The following track “V. Celestial Scourge Subjugation” keeps up the mid-paced speed while we listen to the first riffs that make us remember Dødheimsgard from the end of the 90’s. “VI. Sad Thoughts Overdose” shows that sometimes you don’t need vocals on a song. The instrumental tracks do not feel dull at all, the lead guitar speaks highly. “VII Two Faces” reminds of the slow recent Satyricon work until the growling and tremolo picking starts.
The overall feeling of this album is that, even though the production is lo-fi enough, this band can sound big while still maintaining an underground sonority. First, the lead riffs drive you, then the keyboards end up filling the gaps here and there, leaving no gut feeling of emptiness. And let’s remember that this is their debut record, so we will keep an eye on what will come next from this band from Bordeaux, France. Presentation-wise, the band keeps anonymous, and presents an orthodox imagery, judging by the album’s artwork.
If some composition flaws are improved allied to a better and more haunting less-lo-fi production, the next record will be huge. And we will be here, waiting.
