Vesperine deliver the goods on their stunning new album Perpétuel
As you may have inferred from my previous reviews, I am fascinated by genre bands sitting inside genres, bands experimenting within genre bounds and bands whose disregard for genre labels is the stuff of legend (think Igorrr for example). The reason I bring this up, is that today’s offering is the album Perpétuel by Lyon,France-based Post Hardcore band Vesperine, and me trying to work out where they sit and how to describe them. If I was to say to you the band were Emo, you would probably straight away think of someone like My Chemical Romance, or American Football, which is understandable. However, if you think about it, the label Emo, is such a wide reaching label that you could describe any number of bands who write music connected to their emotions, but you don’t, due to the fact that it’s socially accepted that Emo bands sound a particular way, hey, I find odd things fascinating, don’t judge me too harshly!
Anyhoo, my point is that Vesperine are a Post-Hardcore band who create emotionally charged songs which you wouldn’t describe as Emo, yeah I know, fascinating right? But seriously, few bands manage to craft soundscapes as arrestingly emotive and expansively powerful as the criminally underrated Vesperine. Perpétuel is a testament to their ability to blend crushing intensity with haunting beauty. This album is not merely a collection of songs; it is an intricate journey through the human experience, painted in shades of sorrow, hope, and cathartic release, see, Emo.
The album roars out of the blocks with opening track “Mouvement III – Tant qu’il y a de L’espoir”, which wraps you up in an abrasive, dense, atmospheric embrace. Relentless drumming and a restless bass coupled with caustic, pained vocals pummel the senses in the most glorious way imaginable, then collapsing onto everything to give way to a gorgeous mid-section with clean vocals and calmed down tones, before flooding back with the immense towering wall of sound. This interplay between the delicate and the devastating is a cornerstone of Perpétuel and the band wield it with masterful precision.
As touched on earlier, one of the defining features of the album is its emotional breadth. Vesperine traverse a vast spectrum of feelings, from the introspective and mournful to the furious and defiant. Tracks like “Mouvement I - À cœur joie” and “Mouvement II – Le poids du silence” exemplify this duality, seamlessly transitioning between serene passages and explosive crescendos. “Mouvement I - À cœur joie” in particular is a 14-minute powerhouse with a breathtaking push and pull dance of speeds and textures, splendid stuff I say! The result is an album that feels both intensely personal and universally resonant, a reflection of our shared human condition.
Each band member brings their unique voice to the collective table, creating a sound that is richly textured and meticulously layered. The guitars weave intricate patterns, alternating between shimmering clean tones and distorted ferocity. The rhythm section provides a rock-solid foundation, propelling the music forward with a sense of urgency and purpose. Throughout it all, the vocals soar and seethe, delivering poetic, introspective lyrics with raw, unfiltered emotion.
For those seeking music that is as emotionally profound as it is sonically powerful, Perpétuel is an essential listen. Vesperine have crafted an album that is both a mirror and a beacon, reflecting the depths of the human soul and illuminating the path forward. This is a record which offers a cathartic release and a reminder of the enduring strength found in shared vulnerability. As you can tell, I liked it a lot.
