Décembre Noir – Your Sunset | My Sunrise
Release Date: 13th October 2023
Label: Lifeforce Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal, Doom Metal.
FFO: October Tide, Insomnium, My Dying Bride, Swallow The Sun.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
I have a confession to make: Death/Doom is kind of my guilty pleasure in the metal genre. You may have noticed that most of my reviews tend to focus on Tech Death, Prog, or Avant-Garde subgenres, but Death/Doom has always had a special place in my cold heart. It combines the emotional weight of Doom with the speed and aggression of Death Metal. Décembre Noir is a band that has truly mastered this style, which is even more impressive when you consider that its members didn’t grow up in Finland, a country known for having a plethora of outstanding Death/Doom bands in every sauna. Their latest offering, Your Sunset | My Sunrise, is the newest addition to a catalogue that, in my eyes, still remains flawless. As I mentioned earlier, Décembre Noir is a reference band in the Death/Doom genre, and the burning question is: can they continue to be the guiding light through the crushing darkness of winter?
One of the band’s greatest talents over the years has been their ability to craft lengthy songs and even mammoth-sized albums (just take a listen to Autumn King for a prime example) without succumbing to tedium or repetitiveness. Their songs remain engaging and devastating, creating an unending atmosphere of sadness without ever losing momentum. Your Sunset | My Sunrise follows suit, never meandering aimlessly and providing constant shifts in mood and sorrowful melodies while maintaining a solid groove. It’s Décembre Noir‘s curious take on Insomnium, and if there’s anything different about this offering, it’s their flirtation with MeloDeath, which is more present than in any of their previous works.
The melodic lines take centre stage, leading the charge during crucial transitions. Then there are the lyrics. While not as conceptual as those in The Renaissance of Hope, a constant theme persists: love, death, and loss. This recurring theme of people dying together might come across as a bit corny, but the delivery is simply devastating, and the lyrics, though straightforward, possess a poetic quality. I’m usually not one to pay much attention to lyrics, but Décembre Noir has clearly put effort into them, and I recommend immersing yourself in the world describe here.
Most of my comments are positive, but there are a few things to keep in mind before embarking on this emotionally charged journey. Décembre Noir has been crafting somewhat similar albums for a while now, and even though Your Sunset | My Sunrise leans more towards MeloDeath, it might sound even more Finnish than before. In a sense, Décembre Noir might seem like a one-trick pony. However, that pony, despite lacking legs, can still jump through a fiery hoop. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve witnessed it; it remains impressive. The same holds true here—every song is exceptional, even if some may accuse it of being derivative, and the production, while sound, lacks a distinct personal touch. But hey, if Immolation can release the same album for 30 years and still captivate our community, why can’t Décembre Noir?
If you’re a fan of Death/Doom with an excellent pace, this album is tailored for you. Admittedly, some parts could be more concise (finally, the songs became slightly too long), and it doesn’t break new ground, but it’s executed precisely as it should be. It’s an album that’s perfect for a dark and snowy day, and if you happen to live in a place where sunrises are abundant, this music is a way to bring back your very own personal sunset.
(3.5 / 5)
