From Bandcamp, "VIA DOLORIS is the singular vision of Gildas Le Pape, shaped by solitude, discipline, and an uncompromising sense of craft. Rooted in Nordic black metal tradition yet guided by melody and introspection, the project traces a deeply personal inner journey. "Guerre et Paix" is an album of tension and balance, where shadow and light coexist in measured dialogue. Across seven expansive compositions, VIA DOLORIS explores the fragile architecture of the human psyche, moving through despair, rupture, and fleeting moments of clarity. The music favours restraint over excess, allowing melody to lead with quiet authority.  Folk and pagan echoes surface subtly, lending the album a timeless, almost ritualistic atmosphere."

The album has seven songs, and "Communion" is first. It roars out of the gate with a fast, thick, and aggressive Black Metal sound. Some of the chord changes are unusual, and I daresay this song has Progressive leanings. "Un Franc Soleil" is slower, more melancholy, and somber sounding, and here's where the cold, sterile side of Black Metal comes through. Scratchy guitar riffs keep a steady presence as well. "Omnipresents" brings a faster pace back to the album, and the drums are literally on fire, moving at what seems like light speed. It does slow eventually, to allow the harrowing sound to soak in. "For the Glory" rumbles with a dedicated fury, and it sounds like an anthem for the undead. Again, it slows, letting the listener get a visual of a blood-soaked battlefield where no one moves.

"Ultime Tourment" is a ten-minute opus, and the longest on the album. It has a hypnotic sound and isn't overly aggressive, but it's plenty dark. The hypnosis builds to a psychotic frenzy, complete with marching boots in the background. The final song is divided into two parts. The first part is both dark and aggressive, and the hypnotic sound returns again. It makes a sudden shift to an almost jovial sound at times. I also get tinges of Folk Metal here. The second part is much shorter…more of a ending mood. Overall, this was a good album. It wasn't too aggressive or dark, and you could also clearly hear some nice bass work. I also found it to be as advertised…leading melodies with Folk echoes, and they did show restraint in the album.