Bovary - Mes Racines Dans Le Désert

Share this on Facebook | Share this on Twitter

After years drowned in silence, the French Metal scene started to call the attention of Metal fans due Black Metal acts into the underground. Of course some names had an appeal that transcended European borders and reached Metal fans throughout the world, especially due the works from LLN (Les Légions Noires) bands as MÜTIILATION, VLAD TEPES, BELKETRE and TORGEIST. The LLN days are gone, but the spirit of that form of Black Metal lives on in many bands. And BOVARY seems to inherit its spirit, as can be heard on this rerelease of its first Demo, “Mes Racines Dans Le Désert”.

The band’s music is that old and melancholic form of Avant-garde Black Metal, with elements inherited from Doom Metal. So the band’s work is made by contrasts: sometimes it sounds aggressive and darkened, and on others, melancholic and introspective parts. And honestly, they do a very good work, because such ways aren’t as usual as they were between 1995 and 1998. The abrasive and morbid energy that flows from their instrumental arrangements is really very good. So let yourself be drowned into their music completely. The sound quality is harsh and crude, as could be expected from this way into Black Metal. But it’s not in a way that the ears can’t understand what’s being done. But have in mind: this is a Demo Tape, Demo CD, or any other thing that fits as a ‘Demo’, so it’s good as it is presented.

Musically, they show a very good work on tracks as “Ta Vie C’est Mes Chiottes” (a brutal and massive aggressive song, with fine vocals and guitars, but pay attention that morbid and darkened parts appear), the long “Je Ne Serai Plus Là Pour L’Attendre” (very good contrasts, but with a melancholic ambience even in the aggressive parts, but they must have care on the rhythmic kitchen work, because some mistakes on the playing can be heard), and the introspective and harsh approach used on “Automne”. But the band must evolve a bit more.

BOVARY is really a very good name on French Black Metal. But an album must come as soon as possible, because “Mes Racines Dans Le Désert” is just a sample of what the band can do.

Songwriting: 8
Musicianship: 6
Memorability: 7
Production: 5