- Posted By: Dark Emperor
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Infernal Masquerade: Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, and let’s get started:
I.M: What were the main ideas behind the formation of Alcest and its very unique sound?
Neige: I'm glad that you liked the new album, I am very proud of this release too ! Alcest was formed in 1999/2000 as a traditional black metal band. Then it became a solo project with a very personal universe and concept dealing with visions of another worlds, another existences, life after (before) death experiences. Since "Le Secret", all Alcest songs are dealing with these themes in a way or another, through romanticism, nostalgia, regret, or more happy and ecstatic feelings. On the new album "Écailles De Lune" the drummer Winterhalter joined the project.
I.M: While most new bands in the current French scene are playing Modern Death Metal (Gojira, Hacride, etc) and its variations, Alcest and a few other bands (Les Discrets) are doing something completely different. How are you guys viewed (and received) in the scene?
N: Within the French scene you mean? France is maybe the worst country for Alcest, this project is not really appreciated here you know. French people are very arrogant when there's something coming out of their own country; it's like "if it's French and has a certain success, it can't be so good".
I.M: Alcest’s new album “Écailles de lune” was in the works for 2 years or so. Can you tell us more about what inspired this brilliant album (both musically and lyrically)?
N: While "Souvenirs" was a description of memories I had as a child about a luminous far away dimension "Écailles De Lune" could be seen as a metaphor of how I manage to live with this experience now in my everyday life. As I sometimes feel that nobody really understand and grab what I am speaking about, in some moments it's like if I was a stranger here, speaking for nothing, and looking for something else than people around me. Musically this album is has a strong aquatic/abyssmal atmosphere, it's more melancholic than "Souvenirs...", progressive and with intense darkblue soundscapes.
"Écailles De Lune" means "Moonscales" in English. This is an association of two words reminding the main elements of the album's theme : the moon symbolize for me the night, the stars, feminine divine presence and the scales remind all that is around the sea, aquatic creatures, mystery etc... Well, I have to tell you how did I manage to use such a theme for this album. Last summer I was in holidays with a couple of friends by the seaside in the south of France and we were used to go on the beach at night while listening to music and contemplating the sea. I had a kind of revelation. It was a so beautiful and fascinating vision, the golden reflects of the moon on the waves, the whispering voices of water and the immensity of the nightsky just above your head. It really fitted into Alcest purpose.
I.M: The new album has a heavy focus on the acoustic/clean vocal aspect of Alcest’s music, is the band going to get rid of the Black Metal aspect of it’s music in the future?
N: Hum no, the new album has actually more Black Metal passages than the previous album "Souvenirs". I can't tell I get rid of the BM aspects since Alcest never was a real BM project, it just have some influences coming from this kind of music.
I.M: What is are your thought behind mixing very ‘peaceful’ music with the aggressiveness of Black Metal? Why do you think you chose this particular style?
N: I don't think that we can speak about aggression. Ok, I can understand that considering Alcest's style the new album is more aggressive than usual but in my opinion the feelings doesn't change because of this. To my eyes "Écailles De Lune" is almost even more "otherworldly" than "Souvenirs...". I want my music to sound like if it was not played by humans, without any down to earth aspect, I don't know if you see what I mean. For me to scream is not necessarily a reference to "black metal" or the expression of anger, I see it more like a non-human voice. The expression of what could be a second nature for me.
I.M: Many bands now play a similar style than Alcest, combining clean vocals, atmospheric passages and Black Metal elements. What do you think makes Alcest stand out from the rest of these bands?
N: Making music is not like applying a food recipe. Having "a bit of clean vocals, a few arpeggios, some Black Metal passages" don't mean anything if the core of the music and the melodies are empty and made without sincere artistic motivation. The fact that Alcest is having these kind of elements doesn't matter, only the essence of the music/melodies and the project's purpose are making this project stranding out from the rest.
I.M: It took Alcest almost seven years and one EP to record “Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde”, can you tell us more about what happened during this time?
N: I was having a lot of other musical projects at that time, and recording stuffs with them, that's why I was not so active with Alcest than I am now. Moreover you know I don't like to hurry; that's fine to me if I have to take 10 years to compose an album. 6 months or 10 years, it's the same to me, the most important is the result and to be completely satisfied with the job I made.
I.M: “Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde” translates to Memories from Another world, what are Alcest’s memories from another world? And what world are you guys referring too?
N: Since "Le Secret" Alcest is a way to musically translate an experience I had during my childhood until early teenage years. Let's be clear, we are not speaking about imagination or fantasy, but about a real event which had and will always have a big impact on my life. As a child I was used to have sudden visions, memories of a place that is not the one we know. The things that came to my mind, with the precision and the evidence of any “real” memory, had nothing to do with anyone can know or imagine there. These were images about an indescribably beautiful haven where everything - trees, glades, streams…- produces a pearly light and where a faraway and celestial music floats in the air like a perfume. In such a place the spirit wanders without its mortal coil and deprived of the five senses pertaining to the body. It perceives what surrounds it in a completely different way. There, one no longer feels moral and physical suffering, diseases, anguish of death but only a feeling of peace and indescribable ecstasy. This heavenly place is inhabited by beings of light who are infinitely benevolent, protective and who communicate by talking directly to the soul, in a «language» beyond words. Now the memories of my present life tend to replace ancient ones if I can say but they will always remain inside me. I feel a very strong nostalgia for this place which I consider a bit like my "real" home in a way.
I.M: Alcest will be doing a mini-tour of North America in late April, are there any chances some new dates will be added? Or just East Coast and Canada dates? Any chances of a future tour that will cover the West Coast as well?
N: We only go on East Coast cities this time but for sure when we come back in the U.S we will cover the West Coast ones and others as well !
I.M: Is there anything else you want to add for your American fans and our readers?
N: I hope that they will appreciate the new Alcest album. See you on tour !
I.M: Thanks for the interview and good luck with the new album and the upcoming live shows!
For more information visit: http://myspace.com/alcestmusic and http://www.alcest-music.com/
