ALBUM REVIEW: L’Oratoire – Black Bile
Since forming in 2017, BLACK BILE have gone through several changes. Their path of development led them to produce The Substance – an EP from January 2020 in which we were introduced to a deeply intense, brooding sound. There was a potent weight that the newly emerged four-piece were crafting, but there was something missing from the puzzle. Fast forward a few years and BLACK BILE have now included a second guitarist, expanding the line-up to a five-piece, as L’Oratoire seeks to deliver on this growth and plunge further the emotive depths that were outlined in the previous release. Taking on a second guitar has allowed the expansion into a more post-metal inspired direction, coupled with the already well-attuned doom genre they have established.
Opening with In Procession, L’Oratoire presents an initially sombre mood. Delicate guitar lines are bolstered with rumbling bass and drums creating a swirling soundscape. The harmonic vocals washed in reverb round out the otherworldly effect and really draw in an intriguing introduction for the album. The fragility subtly generated from the opening track is immediately and violently swept aside by the arrival of Bereavement. Thunderous blast beats and frantic riffs rage through the introduction of this track before partially subsiding to allow room for the vocals to enter with a graceful yet captivating presence.
This juxtaposition really sets this track up as an attention grabber. It delivers on all fronts, showcasing how much BLACK BILE have developed in stature since The Substance. While their earlier releases were good, there is a step up in both musicianship and songcraft on this album that is impossible to ignore. Bereavement is a fully realised musical journey within the album itself. The movements of the track both in dynamics and texture create a path of introspection and emotive display. It’s impressive to have a track of this calibre so early on, but L’Oratoire doesn’t hold back with the epic scale.
Ephialtes, while shorter than the preceding track, is no less powerful. The quintet have packed this track full of depth and crushing weight. Their musicianship is showcased to further heights as the track ebbs and flows. Tightly packed verse sections give way to an unbound bridge, taking hold in the latter part of the track. This provides some of the most memorable riffs and rhythms on the record. It’s as catchy as it is doomy and worth the time on its own, and clear why this was chosen as the lead single.
Musically, L’Oratoire feels absolutely colossal. The mix has heightened the delivery of every instrument and allows enough space for passages to breathe without anything bleeding through and creating any discord. The vocals soar above during the clean passages and are full of raw untamed passion exactly when necessary. The inclusion of a second guitarist has certainly allowed for greater creative development. The tracks previously mentioned as well as the title track are testament to how much BLACK BILE have grown.
There is a lot to be excited about over the course of these six tracks. There is a controlled power and passion that BLACK BILE have produced and executed to a high standard. Some may suggest a lack in definition between tracks as there is a lot of textual and compositional similarity. However, when taken as a whole, L’Oratoire is a journey. Individual tracks can be enjoyed for what they are but when experienced collectively it is extremely powerful.
Rating: 8/10
L’Oratoire is set for release on October 13th via Frozen Records.
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