Csejthe is the name of that infamous castle where Elizabeth Bathory worked, played and lived and if that is not enough to both give you an idea on musical style here and curdle your blood into the process, I don’t know what is. Csejthe (and no I am having enough trouble spelling let alone pronouncing) do not come from deepest darkest Hungary but Quebec and yes that does mean they are part of what is oft described as the QCBM or Quebecois Black Metal Scene. As one would expect there is a certain amount of crossover here and the trio do comprise of members of Forteresse and Crepuscule amongst others. This was my first encounter with this lot who have a few releases prior to it including an album Le Mort Du Prince Noir, complete with portrait of their countess muse on the cover so I was not really sure what to expect.
After an Oraison that’s a prayer which is literally played out over austere organ work a guitar cuts in and the title track starts with maudlin tones but already setting up a great sense of melody. The slow pace matters not as the reflective piece gradually builds and drenches in its sorrowful atmosphere. Vocals arrive, course and mysterious partly as they are lurking in the backdrop and also as you cannot make out what they are talking about, naturally I assume they are French anyway. It all washes over you and is a ponderous track as its title suggests, despite being close to 8 minutes it never explodes like you may expect simply caressing with an epic grace, even the choral voice work is under emphasised. With a title like ‘Chasseresse’ ‘The Huntress’ has to explode and that it does in a welter of bruising percussive swipes and a gurgling bestial growl rising behind. This is what I expected from the band on full charge, powerful galloping pace and a triumphant and bloodthirsty melody. I cannot work out the production but it suits, the vocals sort of rise and echo out working with the drive of the music and adding to it with a real sense of danger and anger.
I think it is fair to say that the medieval flavours of the bands muse etch this admirably, there is a cold harsh hunger about it from the pagan sounding cleave and swagger of songs like ‘L’antique blason’ to the album’s striking cover art. I admit this took a fair few listens to get beneath it but the songs do gradually sink in and unveil their rich textures. This is not overly complex stuff but the repetitive rhythms are strong and there is always an epic feel about them. At almost ten minutes last number ‘Chant des Martyres’ proves that Csejthe can hold the attention span. From a somewhat fuzzy Burzumic guitar chord this slowly and evocatively unfolds with a real sense of history about it. Quite a reflective and even dreamy piece this ‘Song Of Martyrs’ is a fitting tribute to the fallen and concludes another formidable album from the Quebecois hinterlands.
(7.5/10 Pete Woods)
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