CoC : Belenos - Chants de Bataille : Review

Belenos - _Chants de Bataille_
(Adipocere, 2006)
by: Pedro Azevedo (7 out of 10)

Pagan-influenced black metal from northern France is what Belenos have to offer on _Chants de Bataille_, resulting in acoustic guitar bits and some clean singing and chanting being used throughout the album. While Belenos are no Enslaved or Borknagar, they produce some engaging tremolo riffing, the clean vocals do the trick, and the songwriting isn't half bad (e.g. the doomy variations in "Fureur Celtique"). In other words, things are kept interesting for the most part, and while _Chants de Bataille_ is unlikely to be called a revolutionary album, it does have enough character to stand on its own merits. Belenos succeed in creating a credible atmosphere to surround the music through interludes, but for all its acoustics and clean vocals their sound still revolves around a pretty aggressive foundation. Some may prefer to avoid the French lyrics, but personally they don't bother me. _Chants de Bataille_ may not be a truly outstanding record, but it is certainly above average and well worth a try.

Contact: http://www.adipocere.fr

(article published 27/2/2006)