Alcest’s “Shelter” is the sound of a band that has undergone a decisive and inevitable metamorphosis. In all these cases, extreme metal was the chrysalis or catalyst; what emerged wasn’t the same as what came before. Opeth style death metal for bucolic prog, Neither came as a total surprise, and neither does “Shelter”. Alcest have been slowly turning away from the corrosive, ambient metal of their early work—a sound that’s influenced many, most notably the similar Deafheaven—toward an unbroken dreamscape of shoegaze. “Shelter” marks that clean break. The French outfit’s fourth full-length album is a statement of soft-spoken apostasy that’s unflinching in its resolve.
Posts Tagged ‘Alcest’
“Shelter” is the fourth studio album by French shoegazing band Alcest. It was released on January 17th, 2014 via Prophecy Productions. The album’s name is related to the album’s overall concept of shelter.
The record is about the concept of shelter as a safe place that allows everybody to escape reality for an instant, to reunite with what we really are, deep down. Neige’s own shelter turned out to be the sea, as well as the tracks of this album, all inspired by and dedicated to it.
The Fat Angel Sings 