No Terror In The Bang - 2021 - Eclosion

(47:13; M&O Music)

French band NO TERROR IN THE BANG started out a mere two years ago, lead by the creative partnership of Alexis Damien and Sofia Bortoluzzi. Following three singles released in 2019 and 2020 the band were signed to the label M&O Records, who released their debut album "Eclosion" in the early spring season of 2021.

While No Terror In The bang describe themselves as a cinematic metal band, I would say that in terms of a more strict genre placement I'd opt for the alternative metal tag myself. This is metal, and it is alternative also in more ways than merely featuring cinematic passages and transitions. Even if this aspect is a defining one.

When this band hits the metal bits they tend to do so with an energetic approach. Hard, tight and gritty guitar riffs applied in a staccato manner is a staple for these parts of the album, often with a melodic overlay of some variety or another supplementing the guitars and the rhythm foundation. As is often the case with current bands, we're even treated to a case or two of more post-rock flavored overlays, which suits the mood and atmosphere of this production beautifully. Some nice, sharp soloing is at hand too, albeit rarely given a more dominant role as has often been the case for metal bands.

The cinematic details added to the proceedings and either combined with the guitar driven parts, explored in isolation or applied to the band's more expressive parts is a clear identity mark throughput.  From symphonic oriented string cascades to mournful cello and wandering piano details, but also more effects laden parts with a stronger film score orientation is a feature throughout. On an occasion or two even adding something of an industrial vibe to the proceedings. I also note that some parts get a slight jazzy touch to them, whether planned or accidental, with the bass and the piano often setting the mood and vocalist Bortoluzzi playing with these tendencies.

The lead vocals are a driving force from the start to the conclusion for this album. Bortoluzzi masters the clean, sleepy vocal style just as much as the gritty, frayed and intense vocals that can sound so good when applied to energetic metal, and which fits the landscapes perfectly here. She's also able to master a more spoken style of lead vocals, and takes full charge when the band kicks into a more rap-metal oriented expresion here and there. Intermediate vocal styles combining the hip hop and the more conventional singing are nicely executed too, and softer, spoken parts with a stronger voice acting element to them are delivered with just about the same relative ease. Bortoluzzi does have a little bit of an accent, but that is a very minor negative and mainly restricted to the softer spoken passages at that.

The end result here is a rather expressive and somewhat challenging production, with multiple ebbs and flows in intensity as well as constant variations in style, genre and orientation. Alternative metal is the foundation here, while the more cinematic passages are a vital ingredient in terms of expanding the landscapes explored to include elements from classical music, electronic music, possibly industrial music and, arguably, even a subtly slight bit of jazz. If you tend to enjoy your alternative metal to be of the quirkier and expressive variety, chances are good that this production should be a rewarding encounter.

My rating: 82/100

Links:
https://www.noterrorinthebang.com/
http://www.m-o-music.com/