Described as another French project along the lines of Alcest and
Amesoeurs, Les Discrets aim to take their version of post-black(?)
metal in a somewhat different direction. You still get the fuzzy
guitars and occasionally speedy passages somewhat reminiscent of black
metal, and clean sung French vocals on top. However, on _Septembre et
Ses Dernières Pensées_ there is a strong folk element layered into the
metallic components. Rather than simply alternate between metal and
folk, the two are also combined in a manner that reinforces their
sound and increases its vibrancy. This album may have some really soft
passages and display plenty of melodic sensibility, but instrumentally
it is anything but feeble, with solid guitars and drums. Much like
Alcest, the clean vocals may not be to everyone's taste, but there is
no faulting their execution, and they do lend some more individuality
to an album that already showed plenty of personality regardless. (The
only exception for me would be some backing vocals on "Chanson
d'Automne".)_Septembre et Ses Dernières Pensées_ ("September and Its Final
Thoughts") is presented in what seems a very carefully assembled and
rather elaborate package, with motifs inspired by nature and
mysticism. While all this may very well appeal to those who enjoy the
likes of Empyrium, the sound of Les Discrets is quite different from
the Germans' pre-acoustic days -- no harsh vocals, for a start, and
the songwriting itself is significantly different. With some really
striking musical moments in a very well rounded unit that remains a
good couple of steps away from the pack, there is a broad audience out
there that would be well advised to give this album a try.