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From: theneedledrop
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  • Couldn't agree more with this review. Alcest has never really captivated me, but I don't think it's bad music per se. The beauty just seems forced, and lacks the dramatic tension that other bands capture so well. Early Ulver, Blut Aus Nord, WitTR, Agalloch, Burzum, Emperor, and even Daethspell Omega all have melodic and achingly beautiful moments that leave me in awe and take me to another realm of existence. Alcest plays it too safe for me. Still, I can see its appeal for those new to metal.

  • I agree with your review man! but apart from that you should give the new Les Discrets album a listen. it goes in a quite same direction but sounds much more, well "fresh" and is way more atmospheric.

  • "lè vuaiaje de l'èm": I think this is the correct pronounce (I'm Italian)

  • Alcest are not black metal, listen to an interview with Niege

  • Foo Fighters? Really? I disagree with you sooooooooo much. This is by far the best album released so far this year.

  • The first thing that popped in my mind when I listened to Alcest's music was Novembre. An Italian band with amazing albums like "dreams d'azur".To be honest Alcest sound a bit boring and they're not so original after all,Novembre have been doing this kind of music since the 90's when"blackgaze" wasn't invented yet and the band was classified as "goth metal".

  • Yeah. Learning to pronounce the bands' name is FUCKING IMPORTANT, you inbred piece of shit.

  • By the way.. you didn't get any of this albums tracks? Try track 2, 3, 5, and 6, you fucking dipshit.

  • Do you even know what you are talking about in these videos? SERIOUSLY. You give Sunn so much credit because you can feel their music, yet you give this fucking album a 5 out of 10. You are tone deaf... Foo Fighters are your comparison? You might want to look into another hobby you piece of shit HIPSTER FUCK.

  • @CHUDenee lol

  • 6-7, kind of rehash

  • What Alcest has to offer is song craft and flow in a more traditional sense. What it lacks in bite it makes up for in melodic and emotional content. Coming into it from the metal perspective is very misleading. It doesn't offer that same sort of catharsis and people expecting that will very likely be disappointed. The vibe i get from this is comparable to The Cure's Disentegration, Blue Bell Knoll by The Cocteau Twins, or anything by Sigur Ros. Albeit spiced with black metal flavors.

  • None of Alcest's recent work has enthralled me quite like "Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde".

  • @loudestsounds Seriously? Half of the tracks were amazing. The rest sounded like they were coming straight off some christian bands playlist.

  • @CHUDenee lol

  • I don't know how one could mispronounce the title worse [ lɛ vwa.jaʒ də lɑm]. Also the singer Neige [nɛʒ] is not related to Nietzsche. Good review though, as always.

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  • it's not "neeej" it's "nej" with a short e

  • Alcest has not been making this style of music since 2000, only since 2005 (Tristesse Hivernale was a very traditional raw black metal demo).

    I wouldn't bring up Wolves in the Throne Room. Personally think that band is mediocre at best, but in talking about Alcest I would bring up Ulver, Drudkh, and Agalloch as the metal-side influences. Or you could bring up the other blackgaze bands that Alcest has influenced like Soliness, Heretoir, Thranenkind, and so on.

  • I'd probably give it a 7, I'm a bigger fan of Ecailles de Lune though.

  • Alcest's first record was one of my favorite records of the past few years. And the last one just started to grow on me... stoked to hear this one.

  • MARROW OF THE SPIRIT FOR THE WIN YES!

  • Not as good as their last album, but I still dig it.

  • I know it's a little old but a review of Exoplanet by The Contortionist would be appreciated. They're from Indianapolis and it'd be cool to see a local band get some love from the internet's busiest music nerd

  • STOP DOWNLOADING! Bands deserve to get paid. It doesn't make them "sellouts"..If your boss doesn't pay you for your job at Mc d's you are getting ripped off like downloaders rip off bands.Cool bands cant recoup costs from their labels and are getting dropped.We will be stuck with GaGa and Beiber cuz 12 yr olds pay for music more than "indie" kids do. It is also compromising the state of the internet.It's a human problem not a music problem.Give something back to music and the net.

  • @valentino0214 Artists make virtually nothing off of album sales, nearly all of those profits go directly to the label. Most artists make most of their money (excluding promotion in ads and such) by touring and performing live. So in essence, downloading music off of the internet benefits the artists as their music reaches a wider audience and people are more likely to go to shows. The SOPA & PIPA bills are extensions of corporate greed perpetuated primarily by the RIAA and the MPAA.

  • @MickPence RE: albums sales. What are you basing that on? a hunch? My band gets 50% from album sales (indie label with major distributors) Because labels are worried about not recouping they now offer bands "360" deals which means labels take at least half of everything.So there goes your theory about performances.Minus tour costs,minus studio cost,minus marketing etc etc.Dont make excuses, if you like a work of art pay for it.I agree about SOPA but lets not give them the excuse.

  • Yeah i know what u mean but on The other hand its just alcest like they always where they got this "soft" style on every Release but i think that is what makes them unique and i would say Agalloch go in a diffrent direction its more folky and alcest has this dreamy aspect and i like both a lot! And The diffrence between The last release and this isnt really big! When u like alcest then u like this too i would give it a light 8! greetings to you Antonio and Chuck hes The best! Honourfull:

    DerRa

  • Id give it a 8/10.

  • Respect your opinion and understand it somewhat, but we had a much more positive take on it. Check it out here if you have a chance: brutalitopia.blogspot.com/2012­/01/review-alcest-les-voyages-­de-lame.html

  • I've never been able to get into this band. I wouldn't pigeon hole their music as black metal... It's just too nice... Romantic as you say! The cold/hopeless/despairing atmosphere clearly isn't here...

  • Ugghh...I don't even want to watch this. I know you're going to hate it.

  • You pronounced the band's name wrong

  • Thought 5/10 was harsh. Didn't think the album was that bad, though I can understand why it might not appeal to some while appealing to others for the same reasons . I'd give this review a 5/10. Heh.

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  • Hey Anthony, well, I think I can say that I'm an Alcest fan or something like that, at least I loved their last outputs ''Ecailles de Lune'' and ''Le Secret'' (even though "Le Secret" was actually released in 2005...). However, I feel a little bit disappointed about "Les Voyages de L'âme", because even I can't deny that there's a lack of variety. However that may be I wouldn't give it a 5/10. It still is a solid album and not average, but I hugely prefer the latest release of Lantlôs!

  • Anthony, I usually love your videos but wtf are you laughing at when you start some of your reviews?

    I MUST KNOW

  • algien le puede traducir en español? xD no entiende na al pelao klo asdsadsad

  • Good review, but i think it deserved more than a light 5. Maybe a strong 6 for me.

  • Review some "Woods of Desolation" or "Fullujah" in the Black Metal category

    And I'll die if you ever review a "Joe Purdy" album, but I'll be very sad if you don't like lol

  • Review more French stuff, just for the pleasure of hearing you pronouncing it <3

  • I love your reviews, but disagree sometimes. This one one of those times. But that's okay! I prefer the screams, myself.

  • @thew44 I really love Anthonys reviews are awesome, but when it comes to music to this, I think he gets way to pretentious.

  • I dissagree with this review, this album is one of my favorites! to each his own I guess :)

  • Holy crap! You have a Mamoun's shirt! :D

  • exact same thoughts. thought this was more along the lines of soft rock influenced bm. no thanks.

  • "les voyagé, de l'ème" ahah that was hilarious

  • hihi you pronounced the album title like you were reading in spanish :P in french, you don't pronounce the e's like that. so basically, if you want to say it correctly, it's "leh vwa yaj deuh lam" LOL:)

  • havent heard this new one yet but I kinda agree with you on most Alcest records. I like the sound but for some reason it's just kinda… plain sounding. the songwriting maybe? nothing really jumps out after while. I fell in love when I first heard Le Secret, then the debut came out and the first 3 songs were interesting but then it starts to sound monotonous for some reason. like it lacks the urgency or suspense of WITTR or Agalloch, if you want to start comparing. still really dig Le Secret tho

  • OH CHAMPS ELYSEES!

  • Skrillex - Bangarang

    It's inevitable.

  • BLACK GAYS!

  • Unignorable?

  • agreed with the rating. album is boring

  • i saw alcest worst live band ever did not deserve to open for enslaved

  • I love the Black Metal sound, but it's not why I love Alcest. Alcest is -deeply- immersive on this one, whereas Escailles De Lune was too confrontational to be really escapist-esque. I give this a solid 8/10.

  • I liked it. agree with everything you said too

  • Love anything by Alcest.

  • Alcest: Les voyages de l'âme:

    This album has too much of a fantasy sound to it. It feels like music that could be featured in an animated horror/romance movie for a mainstream audience...preferably for teens in their "early" teens.

  • Could you review the Symmetry album? i think the concepts pretty awesome :)

  • A few things:

    1. Alcest is not Black Metal. They're Post-Black Metal/Shoegaze (not necessarily "blackgaze")

    2. Atmospheric Black Metal =/= Blackgaze

    3. Alcest =/= WITTR =/= Agalloch

    I'm not usually a genre-nazi, but I have to in regards to this video. Sub-genres in Metal these days are so vast, it's a must to be as specific as possible. To say that Alcest is comparable to Agalloch or WITTR is just like Alcest is just not correct. They have Black Metal elements in them, but they're not the same.

  • @DrippingInsanity in my defense, i never said the project was simply black metal. i did say there were shoegaze elements in the record, didn't i? i heard the same record you did. i know this album isn't just black metal. i also think your atmospheric black metal / black gaze statement isn't as black and white at you think it is. those two genres are like two different shades of grey. artists that are primarily in one genre make music that could be categorized as the other, too.

  • @DrippingInsanity the first track on wittr's two hunters couldn't be considered black gaze as well?

  • @DrippingInsanity i compared wittr, alcest, and aglloch's last album because they're all apart of this recent trend of combining black metal with folk, atmosphere, or shoegaze elements. i'll agree with you that alcest does fit into more of a post-metal sound, but i don't think those artists are beyond comparability.

  • review Habits & Contradictions by Schoolboy Q, you wolud love this guy, he made an album last year called "Setbacks" and it was amazing, and hes best frends with Kendrick Lamar, have i persuaded you enough yet?

  • If you review a DeVotchKa album (especially A Mad and Faithful Telling or Curse Your Little Heart) there is a good chance I will either give you all of my earthly possessions or make sweet, sweet love to you, your choice.

  • Anthony, review the new Woods 5, I'm not even a huge fan, but think it would be an interesting review. And RIP David Gold.

  • Metric- Old World Underground Where Are You Now?

  • habitsncontradictions by schoolboy q

  • Not "les voyagés" - "les voyages"

  • was disappointed with this. I loved Alcests last LP and thought the LP before that was alright, which this one seems like a definite return to in sound.

    What i like about the last LP were the transitions and build up between melodic clean sections and the heavier black metal passages - This album just sounds like theyre playing the clean sections on top of the heavy sections, and where has the screaming gone?! He was such a tasteful screamer, this album is just a lot crystal clean harmonies.

  • @alreadytakenthe3rd some wannabe-artsy thing probably:p

  • pronounced it wrong man dammit get it right

  • Loma Prieta - I.V.

  • Pauvre Anthony ton français doit s'améliorer, you should ask Cal to speak french

  • hey, i just dropped a self produced experimental/folk album. if it sounds interesting to any of your likings feel free to check out my channel and listen/download.

  • NO YOU FOOL

    IT'S NOT "VOYAJAY"

    IT'S "VOYAJ"

    LRN 2 FRENCH

  • @thefuzz97 french me?

  • @theneedledrop Alrighty then, lemme give you some protips. In French, unless there is an accent on the "e" at the end of a word, it is always silent (in all other cases, an unaccented "e" is pronounced as "euh"). Also, in general, when using "s" to make something plural, the "s" is silent as well. There are sometimes exceptions to these rules, but most French words abide by them.

  • Imaginareum, Nightwish.

  • Please review the album Dive by Tycho. Afraid to say it's not brand new (came out last year) but is definitely worth looking at. Would really like to know what you make of it.

  • review the new Napalm Death single, Utilitarian

  • CURSE YOU FANTANO. ALCEST IS THE MUSIC OF THE GODS.

  • @NekoD3m0n which gods?

  • @theneedledrop Pffft idk. Im a fucking nihilist anyway >__>

  • You are far too apologetic Anthony. I've been watching your vids since you pretty much started, and it's only gotten worse.

    It's apparent in this vid, but especially in The Weeknd review, where you dedicate several minutes to pre-emptively apologising to everyone for the evauluation you provide.

    Your opinion requires no dumbing-down or qualifying just because a small clique of retards can't stomach your analysis.

  • @kbillysupersounds I don't think it's necessarily a bad practice. It puts the review in context of the reception and hype in general.

  • @kbillysupersounds Well, maybe I don't need to come out and so boldly highlight that these reviews are only opinions, but at least I'm honest about what I do and don't like. I obviously don't want anybody to come away from my reviews feeling like I'm not secure in my opinion; however, I'd like to avoid the usual cynical, pretentious, mean, and bitter reviewer stereotypes at all costs. I'm sure there's a way to review without coming off weak or snooty.

  • @kbillysupersounds It's just that sometimes I feel like I have a grip of that, and sometimes I don't. I've only been reviewing for several years. If I'm going to make TND as big as I hope to, I'm going to have to be doing it for MUCH longer. I'm not going to learn everything I need to know in the handful of years I've been doing this. I know you guys enjoy the videos, but I've still got a long ways to go in many respects.

  • @kbillysupersounds In the meantime, I appreciate you watching, commenting, and letting me know when my videos could be better. It makes me think of what I do and how it could be improved. :-D

  • Review the new Anoushka Shankar album, Traveller! I'd love to hear your thoughts on modern world music!

  • track review - ceremony - hysteria... do it...

  • THE DREAMER, THE BELIEVER!!!

  • Havens is the 2 minute long song. i think you meant to say the 6th track, Faiseurs De Mondes.

  • i saw your review of wu-tang clan and if we're talking about hip hop classicas you should definitly review THE FUGEES - THE SCORE

    wow ... it would be wonderful . so please make a review . fucking awesome album .

  • Lil B The Based God - bitch mob respect the bitch vol.1

  • how about t-pain's rEVOLVEr

  • You should review the new Loma Prieta album I.V. Its like hardcore/skramz/power violence, I know you've said you aren't too into those genres in some of your reviews but this one I think will definitely be worth your time.

  • SAFARI AL - Hermitage Academy

  • 128 likes vs. 15 dislikes. Anytime I see that you have about 1 dislike or more for every 10 likes, I know that you either panned an album that a lot of people like, or you reviewed a metal album -- usually it's a metal album.

  • The Current Will Carry Us by Counterparts. Definitely recommend it to you, it was my personal favourite metal/hardcore album of last year...I found it deeply moving and incredibly refreshing. Not really sure if that strain of heavier music tickles your fancy but, I'd love to see a review of it man. :) keep on doin what you do, I love watching your videos.

  • As one of your proud french followers, I was expecting a lot from your pronunciation on this one. First thing I can tell is that with such a way of pronouncing "Les voyages de l'âme" you'll make lots of girls in France jump, screaming how cute you sound. Second thing: the right pronunciation is something like "Lay/wah-yah-j/duh/lah-m". But you shouldn't change yours. It is cute. And I'm a male.

  • @galactyk You were? Haha. Why would you be expecting a lot from my pronunciation? I don't speak French. :-P <3 <3 <3 Thanks for commenting.

  • Usually I stray away from anything related to black metal, but for some reason, Alcest really grabs me. This album got me interested in them again, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it after ignoring Escailles de Lune.

  • @mordecai2691 I'm glad you're digging it. :-)

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  • Anthony, if you like really overpowering music, you might like Barn Owl and Jefre Cantu-Ledesma. Just a hint.

  • Please review one of Haken's albums.

  • did he pronounce "voyages" wrong? Voyager, to travel, ends with an "aye" sound, but voyages, travels, shouldn't, right?

  • pOLICA POLICA POLICA POLICA

  • I really enjoyed Alcest's previous album, but I do, like others, feel this album is a grower(despite you being spot on about being of light), it's also quite a bit better recorded and mixed then their last effort and despite what you say, I feel they really are bringing a bit more to table with each release. Has Alcest made a truly great album yet? I don't know, but I do feel that if Neige keeps fiddling around he will get there.

  • Loma Prieta- IV

  • shoegaze and black metal is a match made in heaven as far as I'm concerned

  • Growin' the stache out eh? Niiiiiiice. 

  • This one was a grower for sure. I think the problem is it's so dreamy that it kind of lulls you to sleep. I felt every track was kind of weak but I've come to love the entire album even the weak track beings of light.

  • I'm curious man, why do you chuckle at the beginning of every one of your videos?

  • @alreadytakenthe3rd

    He knows something you don't.

  • @alreadytakenthe3rd cuz i'm happy.

  • Kayo Dot - Gamma Knife

  • I'm in love with Niege's work on Souvenirs and Ecailles de Lune, but on this album I agree with you. I found myself doing other things and not paying much attention to it halfway through. Meh.

  • Hey Anthony, I'd REALLY appreciate it if you reviewed The Cat's Out The Bag by Stu Cat. Nice underground hip-hop album featuring people like Fashawn.

    Please?

  • kayo dot - gamma knife pls

  • Beings of Light is my favorite track on the album currently. =P

  • I'm waiting for the album to arrive on my doorstep, but I absolutely love his other work, so I'm hoping this won't disappoint.

  • @skywards16 I hope you enjoy it. :-)

  • Review the track "As Plague Flowers the Kaleidoscope" by the australian band Ne Obliviscaris. YOU WILL SHIT BRICKS!

  • whats the name of that french black metal band he reviewed in 2011?

  • @pharlap1234 Deathspell Omega?

  • Lamb Of God - Resolution

  • Wow Anthony , I knew you were pretty noobish when coming to metal music , but seriosly , why the fuck do you review music you have no fucking ideea of? You , shitty hipster fucking fail.

  • @BlackAngel111111 Why do you listen to shitty, repetitive music and then have the balls to get elitist about it?

  • @BlackAngel111111 Why don't you actually present an argument or idea instead of just getting mad over a review you disagree with, dude? :-) I hope you have a nice day and find the strength to be kind. Weaklings are those who rely on cruelty.

  • You should review Courage to Grow by Rebelution! I wanna know your opinion on it!

  • Aww yeah, my request got through. Pretty much my feelings on this album too. It's pretty but kinda boring.

  • If I had a nickel for every time you said "underwhelm..."

  • ALCEST IS THE GREATEST SHOE METAL BAND EVER

  • bad pronounciation =/

  • Kayo Dot - Gamma Knife ... do it!

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  • Comment removed

  • Check out The Superegos ! Incredible chillwave/post-rock/electronic music from Italy !

  • kayo dot - gamma knife

  • kayo dot!!!

  • >"French black metal project"

    >Stops watching

  • Review the video for Thug Waffle by Flatbush Zombies!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!

  • review the new Kayo Dot!

  • Dudee you gotta review Tech N9ne's Welcome to Strangeland or All 6's and 7's

  • @CassHadleyMusik that came out a long, long time ago, man. i don't think it's gonna get reviewed at this point. sorry, bro. :-(

  • Sent you a little "review" thingy in the mail because it was way too long to post here. Alcest was formed in 1999, by the way. Good job on the review and thank you! :)

  • If you liked Disma, check out Horrendous - The Chills LP.

  • THANK YOU ANTHONY FANTANO

  • Matt Elliot-The Broken Man

  • Hi Anthony just want to say I love your taste (My fave band is Agalloch) and I love your reviews. I have to say what I have heard from Alcest this time around has been great, I am a huge black metal fan and yet I am a fan of Alcest because of the slower songs and softer singing. That being said I would love to hear an honest black metal effort from Neige. When I put on Alcest and go for a walk Neiges' music really transports me to another world. I may be biased but I gotta give it a solid 8.

  • Can you do a review on Plaid - Scintilli?

  • The albums name was right but Alcest is pronounced like "All-Say"

    ;) I love this band.

  • @jerradcwilliams It's more of "All-sest" than "All-say", at least when Neige himself pronounces it. Maybe it's just me that cannot understand French pronunciation..?

  • @nokmusic12 No, you're right. Neige just took the French name 'Alceste' and cut the e, so you still pronounce the t as if the e was there. even if it wasn't it might have to be like 'Alc'est' to be prounounced 'say.'

  • @feanaroTK Alcest isn't supposed to mean anything though, even if it might sound French when you pronounce it. Neige just took the name because he thought it sounded a lot like his music (maybe there's a thought in that, hm?) and that no-one else would ever come up with a name like that. So it's just gibberish. Not a bad name for a "blackgaze" solo-project anyway...

  • It's Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde lite. I would suggest that album to anyone who heard Les Voyages or Ecailles and thought that they lacked a certain "edge", but then again Neige's stuff isn't for everyone. I believe that this is definitely a transitional album that's trying to restore a lot of the heavy shoegazing of Souvenirs after the cleaner, more prog-ish Ecailles.

  • I mostly agree with that you've presented, though I enjoy it more than you do it seems. I think the last 90 or so seconds of the sixth track are absolutely brilliant, though nothing else really stood out to me. I prefer it to the latest Agalloch record though, couldn't get into that one even though their first three releases are all magnificent.

  • Just heard " I Miss You - EarthBound 2012", review it please! :)

  • review those guys Crippled Black Phoenix they have a lot of influences

  • poor old metal, wtf happened to my favourite genre.

  • @tblaxxable there are still a lotta great releases coming out in metal. i just don't like this particular one that much. it's not that big a deal, man. everything is still good. :-)