Featuring vocalist Louis-Paul Gauvreau, who joined the band in 2018, Incandescence plays black metal in the style of modern Norwegian and French modality. The derivative atmospheric guitars are laden with furious tremolo lines; the drums are relentlessly fast, showcasing the musical approach of the duo on its newest endeavor. The band has evolved from their latest studio album, “Le Coeur de L’Homme”, which was released in 2022 by Profound Lore Records. The overall sound has shifted immensely on “Hor Temps”.

There is a remarkable atmosphere that highlights the melodic tremolo and effective vocals in the opening track “Affranchissement”. Both guitars and drums instill fierceness; the production is raw and powerful, emphasizing the classic raw black metal. The duo opted for encapsulating icy rhythm guitars and scathing tremolos. Such a presentation is best conveyed in the next track, “L’Enfer existe”, which begins with a rumbling drum beat. The iron smelting riffs provide an effective melody perfectly fitting the album’s cover art.

Incandescence returns to embrace the glorious sound of atmospheric and majestic black metal. Although I wouldn’t compare their music to any Quebec black metal bands, the duo has crafted a style of its own.

The scathing fury of the guitars and the potent blast furnace is where the songwriting shines on “Confluence”. You can hear the evil yet elegant rasps of the vocals encased in cold tremolos, and the song peaks in its melodic composition with binding rhythm and hammering drums. These two elements hold the foundational aesthetics of the album, while the song “Le Vide” pushes the boundaries; the drum fills are flawless, especially when the tempo shifts to relentless blast beats.

This is one of the albums that doesn’t rely on keyboards or ambiance to create atmosphere. Each of the seven tracks showcases the intricate skills of the guitars that provide vehemence by creating a majestic aura. The guitar melodies on “Sécheresse” hit another mark through depressive sections laden with beautiful tremolo-picked riffs. The musical craft shimmers in a glorious form where thundering drums generate raw and powerful moments; this solid mix has lent a perfect sound.

The album concludes with two pivotal tracks, “Marasme” and “Inexorable détérioration”, which are both standouts in terms of melodic tremolos and furious drums. The raspiness in the vocalist’s tone reminds me of the French black metal band Seth, which somehow complements the dark and evil cover art of the album. Incandescence embraces the noir themes with doses of melancholy and darkness.

The musicianship is top-notch and compelling, the songs sway between epic tremolo lines, and the remarkable display of the raspy vocals adds passion and vehemence. The guitar in the final track bears some similarities to Forteresse, where the melancholic aura of the tremolo wraps the mood and evokes these contrasting elements.

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