FANTOME OUBLIE REVIEW

FANTOME OUBLIE - SECRETS TÉNÉBREUX RÉVÉLÉS PAR LES OSSEMENTS

With a handful of demos and a split with the amazing Werewolf Bloodorder in the past few years we finally get a full-length from the enigmatic Fantôme Ouiblé, led by Famtôme himself (who also participates in Brazilian projects Malefício and Nosferatu) along with other diabolical cohorts that definitely has mastered the classic black metal look and feel so far gone these days but far from dead with savage spirits such as him keeping the flame burning.

We start off with a rather unassuming and brief intro followed by a shriek and cold, raw, minimalist ancient incantations in "Un cercueil froid attend", soaring highs and lows from guitar pitches abound.A triumphant, almost Disneyesque horns segment leads into "Couronnemet De La Majesté De La Mort" and a mix of tempos and tones that are manifestations of deep, dark night terrors. "Atavisme Funéraire" is  the longest outing present here and can remind a keen listener very much of "In The Nightside Eclipse", acting almost as a fitting tribute to that ancient masterpiece. As obsidian as can be "Os, Cendres Et La Lune" ranges from sermonizing vocals to howls and moldy, rotting string and echo-laden skins to cut through the inevitable thick fog of the current night. At last, "Maladies Amertume Et Ténebres" is undoubtedly tenebrous indeed, a little bit slower as well to have maximum impact and effectiveness to remind you yet again that darkness consumes all.

Eerie throughout and at times repulsive and ghastly in all of the right ways, this soul-violating sojourn through garish and nightmarish soundscapes is an invocation of the spirits of Hell embodied through sheer audial dread. Behold, bewilder, beware!

9/10