MASTERFUL-MAGAZINE.COM

If there's such a genre as eclectic metal then Le Grand Guignol are the first of its kind. Where Arcturus has left Luxembourg combo Le Grand Guignol continue with their eclectic mix of avant-garde black metal, circus synthesizers and a multitude of male and female vocals. Taking their name from the French genre-theatre that opened its doors at around the crossing of the 19th and 20th century this is a case where the moniker fits flawlessly with musical package. Combining medieval sounding melodies with circus sounds and forward thinking symphonic black metal "The Great Maddening" is a great departure from what usually is heard within the symphonic black metal subgenre. Quirky, pompous (there's a hint of Bal-Sagoth in these keys) and bombastic sounding black metal that sounds as if it was written by famed Hollywood composer Danny Elfman. The broad musical palette this act possesses is quite spacious and not something one would expect of session members who cut their teeth in critically acclaimed German folk/pagan metal act Falkenbach. Recorded at TidalWave Studio in 2007-2008 and mastered at 24-96 Mastering "The Great Maddening" comes with a high end production job that puts emphasis on the guitars while keeping a steady base of the band's pompous orchestrations and symphonic elements. The diabolic artwork, design and lay-out by the ever reliable Kris Verwimp (Enthroned, Marduk, Sathanas) fit in with the dark theatrical nature of this record rather splendidly. If one band gets accolades for carving out their own musical niche it must be Le Grand Guignol. Maddening Media have unearthed a diamond in the rough with this act and they are sure to have a great and promising future ahead of themselves.
Wouter

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