TIME LURKER: ‘Emprise’

Otherworldly noise, drawn-out guitars, and devastating  screams in French  pierce the silence, while drones envelop the auditory space, occasionally accompanied by tremors of slow-tempo keys. The oppressive and haunting atmosphere conjures a terrifying scene among the boundless void. The cinematic atmosphere at the beginning of ‘Emprise’ transports your senses directly into moments reminiscent of the grandeur found in monumental works like Twin Peaks.

With the frenzied charge of “Cavalière de feu” — the album’s second track — we witness the introduction of a rich and varied black metal instrumental with cosmic undertones. The pace is now faster and more intense, while the vocals, deranged and imbued with horror and despair, carve deeply into the album’s dark and brooding atmosphere.

The most impressive of all the tracks for me might just be “Poussière Mortifère” — the third song, which delivers an astonishingly beautiful and intoxicating cosmic black metal magic with reverberations and a piercing array of distortion. The melody lingers effortlessly, and it was thanks to this piece that I fully appreciated Sotte’s vocals — the balance between her raw and emotionally charged calls and the coldness of black metal is in perfect harmony here, adding even more depth to the album. Coincidentally, it’s also the album’s longest track… yet I barely noticed it pass. It was simply  beautiful, and the atmosphere of interstellar dust swept everything else from my mind.

While the previous album introduced Time Lurker as a solo act with a few guest vocalists, here we experience the project in a more intimate setting as a duo. Sotte’s vocals — both raw and refined — add a unique, ethereal atmosphere that naturally intertwines with Mick’s instrumental vision. The instrumentals and vocals complement each other beautifully, creating a seamless synchronicity.

From the cinematic opener “Emprise” to the final instrumental “Fils sacré,” Time Lurker offer an escape into an alternate realm, where towering, shadow-laden visions lurk, leaving you adrift like phantoms in a bodiless form.

A fierce emotion cloaked in grandeur, sweeping soundscapes that evoke the sensation of gliding  through cosmic void — this is an experience you don’t want to miss. Step into the unknown with Time Lurker and immerse yourself in boundless interstellar darkness and its raw, haunting essence.

You can follow the official premiere of the album below:

Release date: November 15, 2024
Artist: Time Lurker
Title: “Emprise”
Style: Atmospheric Black Metal
Country: France
Label: Les Acteurs de L’Ombre Productions
Link: https://lesacteursdelombre.net/product-category/preorders