Serment D' Allegeance

Serment I - Le Sceptre Prophetique

Mort Ne 2010

This is the first release in a series from French ambient ritualists, Serment D' Allegeance.  Like part two, this album is comprised of nine tracks in three movements.  I guess I reviewed these releases in reverse order but no matter.  Serment I is a perfect sister album to Serment II.  Some of the same influences bleed across the songs and there is still a distinct echo of those Cold Meat Industries bands I have mentioned before.  Album opener Les Eaux Dormantes features industrial rumbling beats, chilling synth and dissonant guitar notes.  Ominous pulsing drums and gently swaying guitar fall into the abyss as ghostly synths and crackling creaks add layers of coldness to La Race Des Pendus.  Then muted snare and bass drums join this icy dance.  There are times during this track where I hear hints of John Carpenter's theme music for Prince of Darkness.  A bit more symphonic sounding is the dramatic synth movements of Aux Armes, Etendard De L'Ombre.  Le Sang Du Lys utilizes crystal chiming and a constant spear of piercing noise to infuse the track with a sense of paranoia.  The insistent guitar lends an aura of impending doom as well.  Jazzy sax (or a guitar mimicking that sound and flow) and tinkling piano grind sensually against a stumbling drum cymbal on Le Jour Des Trepasses.  Subdued Gregorian sampling and hissing cymbals fill Je Me Souviens with a texture of hollow spirituality meshed against earthly release.  Once again, Serment D' Allegeance is a project that creates cold and moody pieces that shape your thoughts and leave your body chilled and swept away in icy melancholy.