South-west of France heavy newcomers À Terre are releasing their debut album, and what a debut! Emerging from a post-heavy scene that has reached some sort of ceiling and struggles to reinvent itself despite the constant quality of its offerings, the five-piece explores uncharted territories to our delight.
Since their 2021 EP “Notre Ciel Noir”, their songwriting has constantly evolved. Their lyrics brim with so much spleen that Baudelaire would surely endorse them: when despair becomes your only guide, when the only way to avoid declining is to embrace the night, stop seeing the horrors in the light of day and the faces that torment us, and be relieved of everything that weighs us down. Embracing the night means losing yourself in the romanticism of darkness, the chance of wandering and meeting people, and the intoxication of festive evenings, no matter the consequences.
À Terre blend sounds I thought incompatible with the heavy, dark and structured post-metal subgenre, such as samples, spoken word and synthesizers, giving their songs an industrial and darker depth. Massive and overwhelming, the soundscapes aren’t the only striking aspect of this album: the band sings in French, which isn’t a favorite among rock musicians. Yet, not only does Grégoire Caussèque use it magnificently, but he also sprinkles the tracks with subtle references.
Their poetic writing — a collage of words, some of which recur after appearing in previous writings — strikes those attentive to evildoings and proves so fine that everyone can reflect on it, if they are willing to look into it. From their debut EP to this debut album, their atmosphere and storytelling have evolved dramatically, from the genre-crossing addition of sounds and instruments to the choice of words: À Terre embraced the night.
Their music certainly won’t brighten your days, let alone your existence, yet it will be a helping hand when you’re down and perhaps inspire you to find a way to fight those inner demons and ponder on the meaning of existence…
À Terre succeeds where no one else has dared to venture, raising the bar and proving that an accumulation of instruments isn’t what makes a record: the creativity does.
Last modified: 24 February 2025
