Forteresse – ‘Par Hauts Bois et Vastes Plaines’ Out Soon!

As is traditional for a band steeped in the mysticism and voidal nothingness of the Black Metal underground, the promotion around the new Forteresse material has gone by completely unannounced. A brief, uninventive poster uploaded onto the Myspace and track without any warning or welcome. The harmonious melancholy of Forteresse has always stood out as standing a cut above the usual black metal cannon fodder of the 18,000+ bands that proliferate on Metal Archives. Earlier this year they released a split with Brume d’Automne that highlighted the evolution to more complex arrangements of sound, which continues with the title track of the new album, ‘Par Hauts Bois et Vastes Plaines’, available for streaming now on their Myspace. More Quebecios Black Metal with traditional sounds and feels, summoning and painting endless vistas of snow filled forests, plains and wintertime beauty. Tentatively and stereotypically austerely arranged for a Summer 2010 release, I wish promising acts like this would shed their hermetic desires and fully embrace the resplendent aura their music exudes.