BELENOS - Chants De Bataille (Sealed) (CD)

“Chants de Bataille” is a necessarily aggressive album, but it still contains the musical diversity that makes Belenos’ style so interesting. Acoustic interludes galore, clean choir-like vocal passages, and folk elements—all these make an appearance, along with high-velocity black metal. Lo?c Cellier, as the band’s mastermind, is once again at the top of her game, delivering both caustic screams and furious riffs at the same time. “Chants de Bataille” might not quite have the epic atmosphere to spur warriors into battle, but it captures a more nostalgic take on past times, while staying true to Belenos’ personality and standing out in a sometimes bland genre.