The Pitch: Oslo, Norway based band, Chêne, delivers stunning post-metal with black metal influences on debut EP /ʃɛn/. Recorded at an old artillery factory by Runar Magnussen and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audioseige. FFO: They Grieve, Sonance, Alaskan
What I Like: First off, the sheer depth of this EP is incredible. Far from the flat, processed recordings we've become so accustomed to in modern studios, there is a vastness to this record that you'd have to travel light-years to traverse. Neil Degrasse Tyson would be better suited to speak on this point, if that means anything to you. Between the enormous guitar riffs, tortured distant-sounding wails, and occasional use of piano; I'll be surprised if you don't have a profound reaction listening to /ʃɛn/. And what makes their sound somewhat unique is that the fusion of post and BM elements isn't one I would readily describe as "post-black." Depending on the moment, Chêne may sound like another gruff, post-metal or sludge band, others the vocals take a more grim turn; as on "Atlas" and "Sol Invictus" which may have more in common with groups like Au-Dessus and Entropia than the others listed above. The last few minutes of the former track are positively destructive, and there are elements of "Complacence" that even remind me of Zhrine.
What I Don't Like: There's room for a few more memorable moments and some finessing of the compositions, but overall I would only make the tiniest of tweaks to this album.
The Verdict: Pretty much a slam dunk of a debut. The length is just right to truly harness Chêne's special union of post-metal, black, and death. Smoke is rising from a remote factory in Norway, and this is the fire that feeds it.
Flight's Fav's: Complacence, Atlas
