I have always heard about LES DISCRETS but didn't have the chance to explore them. Since my French is weaker and as a matter of fact almost non-existent, I didn't care for it at first. Nonetheless, after reviewing so many released that weren't in the universal English language, I said what the heck not. Musically quite similar to another French band named ALCEST, which is also signed to Prophecy Productions, LES DISCRETS, and their second album "Ariettes Oubliees" (Ariettes Forgotten), lead by vocalist, guitarist, bassist Fursy Teyssier, also was involved with ALCEST, and the lyricist and co-vocalist Audrey Hadorn, is the picture of harmony. Think about the autumn's cold air while the strong winds hurdle fallen leaves onto the soaking ground that had just been touched by the first small bursts of rain showers. Sounds quite misty right? Well that is exactly what LES DISCRETS are all about, at least their music.

When it comes to their Metal indication, LES DISCRETS bears shards of Black and Doom Metal riffing, grooves and extreme rhythms while entrusting their several of their rhythms under the influences of acoustic and electric Post Rock. Within the clutches of the extreme Metal riffing there are ruptures of highly sensitive touches of melodies mainly created by fast and mid tempo played octaves. Whether if you are a Black Metal fan or not, I believe that you will know what I am describing here. "Ariettes Oubliees"just as the former release of the band is melancholic, a little depressive even if some of the vocal work of Fursy Teyssierwill say otherwise, yet unlike the former album that was more in the extreme form of Black Metal, "Ariettes Oubliees"has a lot more softer moments even with what would sound to you as Black Metal scenery. For some reason I had the feeling that there weren't going to be any growl vocals involved. Teyssier's sensual and yielding voice, though sometimes too much dreamy for my taste as he can be weary a little bit, preaches lightly into the cold air of the music behind him. If I could actually understand what he was singing, I am sure that some of it might have stayed with me.

"Ariettes oubliées I: Je devine à travers un murmure..." was the first track of the album that truly kept me enticed by its decorated atmosphere. The acoustic guitars and then the layer of electric mayhem following the chants of the vocals while fast base drum was rolling underneath, that is an amazing experience. I can say that from here on to the end I had the same type of feelings towards the song, though the closing chapter of "Les Regrets" felt a bit undone to me, but maybe that was its purpose all along. It is hard not to get caught by the web of calmness that LES DISCRETS broaden in their music as it is quite beautiful. Nonetheless, and probably the only thing that kept me from rating them higher that what I gave them, "Ariettes Oubliees"seemed to be slightly empty musically even though there were emotions and creative efforts involved. There were times where I felt as if the music was a bit stuck in one place without moving anywhere. It is not expected for the melodies to do all the work because at some level those were rewind and restarted once again.

All in all, I suggest that you go grab this release along with its ALCEST counterpart. Sometimes in Metal it is good to just sit back and enjoy the blooming sounds in your ear without headbanging your head off.