Published: October 28, 2015

Continuously unearthing exciting and edgy Black Metal that acts like it has a purpose, Verlies debut album further solidifies that strange, experimental edge of the style that´s rooted in France. From the city of Lille, comes a band that has a more claustrophobic character in contrast to the prominent “Shoegaze” wave that´s been in focus the last few years.

Originally self-released, “Le Domaine Des Hommes” secures a competent release platform via a joint venture cooperation between Canada´s unique Hypnotic Dirge Records and Mexican underground label Throats Productions. Listening to this album has been quite an undertaking, there´s a glimpse of developing musical prowess to be traced within these five lengthy and compact tracks.

Take the four minute intro for example; the progressive feel of the slow buildup, the attacking distortion and dissonances mixed with Brave Murder Day´esque melody in the center, the epic brutality at the end… the listener definitely gets a taste of raw and bold songwriting before the first real track sets in. Forward to the opening minutes of “Nouvelle” and you´re served with a range of eclectic passages that you´re not sure what to make of.

Not surprisingly, this french outfit thinks outside of the box. Post Rock buildups, Black Metal aggression jazzy/progressive intersections, this is some unconventional music that takes a few spins to sink in, and once the pieces fall together, therein lies an interesting work of Avant-garde music burdened with sourpuss lectures about life and the distress it entails. Furthermore, the vocals accentuate the oppressive/romantic ebb and flow nature of the songs, ranging from madman screams to drowsy opium consuming deliveries that ring like a true pessimist. The purposeful restlessness of the band´s songwriting skills is tamed with the relaxed outro piece “Luna Liquor” with a leading clarinet letting off a baroque styled atmosphere later accompanied by expressive guitar work.

A challenging listen, but certainly an interesting one as well. Verlies qualities lie in their unorthodox songwriting, bending instrumentation and a somewhat discernible “tortured musician” approach in the vocal department. Grab this if you want a savvy and visceral music experience.