Born in 2009 The Great old Ones was a French one-man project of Benjamin Guerry. Soon after four other musicians joined him, which enabled them to take their music to another level while playing numerous gigs.

Nowadays, the band creates an atmospheric black metal, aiming to describe musically both the feeling contained in Lovecraft’s writings and his interest for extreme music. In other words; the sound on their six-tracker debut Al Azif (Arabic name for the Necromonicon) is dark, intense and ambient post black metal much in the vein of Altar Of Plagues, Fen, Les Discrets, Wolves In The Throne Room, Alcest and similar obscure acts.

Apart from many references to Lovecraft this whole concept of The Great Old Ones is quite intriguing and addictive. Take for instance the closing “My Love For The Stars (Cthulhu Fhtagn)” which is slow and long, yet with this amazing atmosphere.
In general terms, most of the songs are quite lengthy, but still being nasty, hypnotic, haunting and oppressive. Each of the songs offer something new and with a different mood, but it requires an active listener. Music, weird sounds and atmosphere are predominant, but the vocals are mad, screaming, yelling and shrieking, which fulfil the full picture of this combo.

There’s some majesty to The Great Old Ones and their contribution to extreme Black, Death and Doom metal scene. However, Al Azif is more of a soundtrack for some kind of ritual, mess or just sonic incantation than it is a normal metal album.

If still interested go to; http://thegreatoldonesband.com/


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