Bookended by a pair of Agalloch-style forest stream laments, _Gergovia_ really gets going with "Par Monts et par Vaux", a blackened war metal maelstrom with a chorus that, melodically and vocally, leans toward Gojira's stomping grounds. As the album progresses, the seemingly endless charge is actually comprised of various interlocking melodic and rhythmic pieces that follow a series of emotional pathways. Bathory influence creeps into the hammer-swinging melodies and baritone singing on "La Colline de Chanturges". When the bass peeks out of the din, it always has important ideas to convey. Drums surge constantly, and phenomenal guitar work rages throughout each ambitious song; though, for whatever reason, Catuvolcus bury their catchiest lead in eighth track "A la Poursuite des Vents".

Some metal gains notoriety and admiration for the extremity of its monochrome intensity. In response, another breed of heavy music splashes itself with over-the-top neon pastels. Catuvolcus paint with a palette that is broad but never gaudy, and the resulting _Gergovia_ is both exhilarating and enjoyable.