Saturday 10 July 2021

L'Effondras - Anabasis


Labels: Araki Records/Kerviniou Recordz/Medication Time Records/98 Decibels

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 21 May 2021


Tracklist:


1. The Grinding Wheel

2. Ce Que Revele L'Eclipse

3. Aura Phase

4. Anhedonia

5. Norea


Part of what I enjoy most about writing is receiving e-mails/messages directly from bands. I know that I'm not the best at replying to all of them but they still mean a lot to me. That's how French instrumental post-rock band L'Effondras came to my attention (although being behind on my e-mails meant that I missed the message from releasing label Medication Time). L'Effondras is a trio made up of two guitarists and a drummer. According to their bandcamp page, they released their first self-titled LP in 2014 and have since released a couple of EPs and another LP, prior to Anabasis.


L’Effondras describe themselves as being an instrumental rock band with elements of blues and on opener ‘The Grinding Wheel’, it’s easy to understand where they’re coming from. To me they sound more western than blues but I guess the two aren’t that far apart. When the post-rock takes hold, it’s superb and yet the trio don’t allow things to get too heavy. Instead, they go in a more experimental/laid-back direction.


It’s unsurprising that they wade in with an eleven-minute song in the form form of ‘Ce Que Revele L’Eclipse’. It’s heavier in parts, yet still it contains a bedrock of melody and desert-rock style meandering that’s superbly listenable. I don’t really know who to compare this to in band terms, which is probably a good thing.


The first couple of songs on Anabasis have been very expansive, so ‘Aura Phase’ is somewhat of a departure. It’s shorter in length but somehow manages to sound heavier also. There’s a great use of dissonant guitars and melody that shows a folk influence from L’Effondras too. The percussion sits deep in the mix when the trio is in full chat and the bass tones are more obvious. 


‘Anhedonia’ has a really menacing intro, which builds in volume slowly. I had a lengthy lie-in this morning and feel really lethargic as a result. The lumbering tempo of this song is definitely accentuating that feeling. It is a truly absorbing listen though and one that shows post-rock/instrumental music in it’s best light for sure.


Album closer ‘Norea’ kicks in instantly after the conclusion of ‘Anhedonia’ and it’s experimental rhythms have been woven into the music effortlessly while being pretty hypnotic in their own right. The instrumentation again is top drawer and L’Effondras, for the first time on the record, introduce spoken-word vocals Into the mix. They too sit deeper, adding an edge of mystique to the song. Everything moves in a more sludgy direction later on and there are some disconcerting screams/cries (at least that’s what I think they are!) towards the end as well. 


I started this review yesterday evening and coming back to finish it off today has heightened how I feel about Anabasis. Overall, it’s an extremely well played and professional LP, which allows the instrumental skill of L’Effondras to shine through. Also, the further you go into it the darker it seems to get, so if you’re listening to it and expecting something easygoing, it’ll catch you off guard. 


You can stream Anabasis and buy it on all formats below:-



L'Effondras - https://www.facebook.com/leffondras


You can also purchase the album from the labels below:-


Araki Records - https://arakirecords.bandcamp.com/merch

Kerviniou Recordz - https://kerviniourecordz.bandcamp.com/merch

Medication Time Records - http://medicationtimerecords.limitedrun.com


Araki Records - https://www.facebook.com/Araki-Records

Kerviniou Recordz - https://www.facebook.com/KerviniouRecordz

Medication Time Records - https://www.facebook.com/medicationtimerecords

98 Decibels - https://www.facebook.com/98decibels

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