Split between Montreal and New York City, the members of Departure Chandelier eschew many of black metal's lyrical tropes in favor something a bit more unique. The trio immerses themselves in the annals of French history. After a demo in 2011 and a split with Blood Tyrant in 2017, the group is releasing a new album later this February, entitled Antichrist Rise to Power. Interestingly enough, while the album arrives this year, the material itself predates their first release, The Black Crest of Death, the Gold Wreath of War.
The LP surrounds the life, death, and legacy of the mighty emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. The release of the new album does come with quite some anticipation. The project features members of Ash Pool and Akitsa and channels a highly melodic and often keyboard-driven style of black metal. Antichrist Rise to Power drips with ornate grandeur. The compositions almost shine like the medals that once adorned the emperor's jacket. This is quite apparent on every song on the album, especially on “A Sacrifice to the Corsica Antichrist.” The regal melodies and arrangements stand out most on this song. The guitars, though raw, are exacting and complex. Holistically speaking, it channels a lot of classical black metal styling, particularly of early French bands like Osculum Infame.
Listen to an exclusive stream of “A Sacrifice to the Corsica Antichrist” now. Also, Antichrist Rise to Power arrives on February 15 through Nuclear War Now! Productions.
