Every now and then, this writer is evident to people in ecstasy on Facebook pages, for the French duo ALCEST was going to release a new album. And for Metal's sake, I believe some fans will look after my liver for these worlds, but ALCEST's "Shelter" is another boring album from the so called "post Black Metal". And to ol' Big Daddy here, "post something" means nothing less than Pop orientated music.

Yes, this album really has a more calm and tender approach, sounding like a mix between U2 and ENYA with a more introspective feeling, but I am talking about Metal, aren't I? So where's the energy, the power and weight of music? If you're looking for these features, you won't find them on this album. And it's sometimes boring and so depressive (if you got some mind disturbs and suicidal tendencies, forget this album), not the so called "intellectual feeling" or "Avant-Garde" thing we're used to hear sometimes. No distorted guitars, only whispered and clean voices, bass and drums with no weight at all, keyboards only to create a more introspective and clean sound, participation of cellos, violins, viola, but nothing can make this album sound...

The production is clean, very clean, and for a not aggressive music, it's fine. But as I said above, "Shelter" does not sound like a Heavy Metal album. And my personal feelings are screaming "this isn't a Metal album".

The album is not a loss however, for there are some good songs as "La Nuit Marche Avec Moi", "Shelter" and the long "Délivrance". Relaxing and charming all of them, but again I have to say: it's not a Metal album at all, in the means of the style's features. And please, don't come saying that "mimimi" thing of "he didn't understand the band's work" or something like that. ALCEST's work does not sound like Metal, that's the main point.

Obviously they have their fans, and they'll love the album, but again: they lack of weight, energy and a lot of Metal's characteristics.

A good album, but it's not Metal music at all.