SHAÂRGHOT: Let Me Out (INDUSTRIAL METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Shaârghot is a virus-infected android who lives in the apocalyptic world of the Hive City. His illness naturally inclines him towards destruction. Behind this dark sci-fi concept lies a real critique of our modern society. After two albums following the adventures of this character, the creators of this indus group decided to place him in a new delicate situation. Cloistered, he utters cries of rage that echo beyond the bars of his mental cell.

Any resemblance to events in 2020 is by no means coincidental. The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted Etienne Bianchi's well-defined plans, and he always takes a broad view of his work. But no matter, this disastrous experience did not get the better of Shaârghot. The anxiety-inducing back is set from the outset with the sounds of a television news programme which eventually implodes under the impact of the proliferation of speakers and information, leaving the place to a crowd clamouring for the arrival of Shaârghot.

Having been isolated for too long, the French band seemed to be making up for lost time, lining up tracks as energetic as they were furious, just as they did in the past. Etienne Bianchi still has that schizophrenic ambivalence: his plaintive voice can drip with filthy violence in the next second ('Sick'). The guitars of Brun'o Klose and Paul Prevel cut straight to the heart of the matter, and the heavy artillery is out in full force on 'Life And Changes', 'Great Eye' and 'CutCutCut'. There's always a danceable dimension, particularly on 'Are You Ready?', with its 1990's dance beat.

Shaârghot's music is efficient and surgical, delivering an uppercut straight to the ears, but instead of knocking us out, it's a fluid listen. Violence gives way to subtlety: 'Red Light District' slows the pace slightly, but not the intensity, and adds a fearsome martial rhythm reminiscent of Marilyn Manson in his heyday. 'Jump' takes on oriental sounds on the intro, adopting vocals reminiscent of Slipknot or Prodigy and cartoonish effects. 'Chaos Area' is even more elusive, a veritable rollercoaster of sound.

On the production front, the band have surrounded themselves with new partners: Arco Trauma (Les Tambours Du Bronx, Sonic Aera) and Thibault Chaumont (Igorrr). Together, the little laboratory of darkness of Etienne Bianchi and his fellow apprentice sorcerers are illuminated by diverse and varied influences, but when the potion is ready, it's pure Shaârghot that comes out. 'Something in my Head', with its heady keyboard gimmick, ventures into electro-pop territory and could easily be played on prime-time radio. 'Ghosts In The Walls' pulls out the atmospheric instrumental card to let us breathe after a high level of sonic aggression, but we can only regret that the track is not more developed and only serves as a transition when the instrumental pleasure deserved to be prolonged.

Shaârghot's new album has freed Etienne Bianchi's band from their shackles. While the band is still evolving in the industrial bosom, its music is becoming more and more like a sonic puzzle, exploring different directions and falling back on its feet to always sound like Shaârghot. A victim of circumstance, this unexpected album is likely to have an impact on the rest of the band's work, which has already been written in advance. To be continued... - Official website

SHAÂRGHOT

LET ME OUT

AUTRE LABEL

INDUSTRIAL METAL