ALCEST

“Black metal might traditionally be a war, but Alcest have always been about the struggle within.”

ALCEST

Alcest was formed in 2000 by Neige (Stéphane Paut), a multi-instrumentalist and composer with a background in black metal. He was later joined by drummer Jean ‘Winterhalter’ Deflandre. The band blends different genres (atmospheric black metal, shoegaze, blackgaze and dreampop) into a unique mix. This causes Alcest to not really fit into any genre: they’re a black metal band, but at the same time, they’re not quite. It’s a duality which has informed the themes in their music throughout the years. Fifth album “Kodoma” was a brilliant return to form for the Frenchmen, and last year’s “Spiritual Instinct” magnified Neige’s introspection to an even more epic degree. As poetic as it is sombre, this is an intense live show you cannot afford to miss.

KAELAN MIKLA

When your music consists of a powerful mix of darkwave, punk and poetry, and The Cure’s Robert Smith becomes your biggest fan, you know you’re doing something right. Icelandic powertrio Kaelan Mikla have been causing chills throughout the music world since 2013, having toured with Placebo and making an appearance at the SXSW Festival. The wonderful interplay between shouty vocals and tender singing invites you into the band’s fantasy world. Groovy bass and predominant synths will make you wonder if that means entering a beautiful dream, or stumbling into a nightmarish landscape.

BIRDS IN ROW

No english version available. Sorry.

Back in 2012, Birds in Row introduced themselves to the world with a debut album that was unexpectedly urgent, authentic and violent. “You, Me & the Violence” was a ferocious opening statement, containing enough fury to cause all kinds of external damage, while also having a sensitivity to do the same internally. It turned Birds in Row into a band at the forefront of the screamo hardcore scene. Signed to Deathwish Records (Converge, Touché Amoré, Oathbreaker, ...), the band have since gone on tour with bands like Amenra, Converge and Neurosis, providing incitingly intense shows wherever they went. Latest album “We Already Lost the World” signified a shift for the band, evolving their sound to be more moody and melodic, and filled with more nuance. Today, the band’s music takes its tame to grow deeper and darker, before opening up into the ferosity Birds in Row are known for.