Sol Draconi Septem, a young band from Nantes (France), releases their first album with Hyperion. Those who expect a black metal remaining in the standards of the genre can already pass their way. On the other hand, for those who, like me, don't see the point of remaking in a lesser way what the monsters of the genre have already created for 30 years, I invite you to have a listen or two to this album which turns out to be original, musically rich, and full of beautiful promises.
For those who don't know the work of the science fiction writer Dan Simmons, you should know that this album is entirely based on one of his most famous books, Hyperion, which I haven't read, so I won't pretend to expand on it, but here's what's written on the back cover: "On Hyperion, a planet located at the edge of the Hegemony, wanders a terrifying creature, both adored and feared by men: the Gritche.
In the mysterious valley of the Tombs of Time, he awaits his time...
On the eve of an apocalyptic war, seven pilgrims are sent to Hyperion. Their mission: to prevent the reopening of the Tombs. They don't know each other, but they all hide a terrible secret - and an inordinate hope.
And one of them may even hold the fate of humanity in his hands."
It's up to you to see if the pitch makes you want to know more, but maybe the SDS album is an excellent gateway, in any case the fact that I haven't read the said opus didn't prevent me from enjoying the musical work here.
As I said in the beginning, Sol Draconi Septem is not an "ordinary" black metal band but on the contrary, they try to go beyond the limits of the genre by including very unorthodox instruments (the saxophone works wonders here, as well as the synths and electronics). One thinks sometimes of Omrade, a band I like a lot, led by the friend Krys Denhez of Demande A La Poussière, but also of the influences claimed by the band from Nantes, such as Ihsahn, or the pioneers like White Ward, Saor, Ulver and others Samaël. In short, a melodic black metal, rich in harmonies and very futuristic atmospheres (considering the theme it is rather logical) with well integrated electro/indus hints. The three cosmonauts of Sol Draconi Septem (Kaon, Muon, Tauon) offer us here a refined music, with numerous rhythmic variations (one would almost dare to say "progressive structures"...well, after all I dare, I love prog). The three musicians also put the small dishes in the big ones as far as the guests are concerned since we find nothing less than Sven (Belenos, Tan Kozh), Bornyhake (Borgne, Ancient Moon) and Quentin Foureau (storyteller at Cataedes, among others) on this very beautiful album. A very nice group, let's admit it.
I won't enter here in the eternal debate "yes but is Sol Draconi Septem really a black band?" as I find this question unimportant in 2021. Anyway, the band doesn't talk about the great horned one or about destroying monotheism in its songs but rather about Buddhism, without the religious side, and about sciences. In short, black metal or not? Everyone has an opinion on this, it doesn't matter.
What is important is that Hyperion is an exciting album from the beginning to the end, a real trip in the cosmos, which takes you far away from this gloomy reality we are going through, and that's already great. To recommend to the amateurs of musical adventures!
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