Ritual commemorates significance; a bid for restoration; an intricate bond. After delving into the abyss with Inferno, French darkwave duo Denuit finds themselves within the mist-laden realm of their latest offering: Ritual.
Denuit ventures into uncharted territories of artistic expression with Ritual. Traditional confines of genre dissipate, granting precedence to unfettered creativity and innovation. This transformation finds its counterpart in Lis’s vocals, an eerie reverberation evocative of mythic lamentations, narrating an enthralling duality of realms, as if caught in the evanescent embrace of dusk. This ethereal domain beckons us to confront our vulnerabilities, celebrate our deepest affections, and emerge renewed, unencumbered, and primed to begin anew.
Ivi’s compositions, intensified by haunting electronic notes, curate the ambient backdrop. This soundscape decisively shifts towards the electronic realm, leaving no room for ambiguity. Deep bass notes dominate as synthesizers pulse vibrantly, their modern beats harmoniously intertwined with the time-honored melodies of violins and pianos. The occasional electronic disruption—momentary glitches and sonic sparks—paints a picture of a world precariously balanced on the brink of upheaval. Ultimately, it serves as a deeply felt tribute to Cyberpunk, reveling in both its visual and sound-rich complexities.
The album opens with the plodding Nott, which expresses a deep fear of the night. Amidst this nocturnal setting, the French lyrics, and creeping synths, the world feels slow, as if anesthetized or turned to stone. Shadows clothe the surroundings, and there’s a sense of wandering through foggy limbo. The recurring dread is tied to something sinister lurking in slumber.
Ritual follows: an eerie instrumental evoking the howls of night and descending spirits – setting the perfect scene for a dance around the cauldron.
Zombies unfurls a harrowing tale of living in a house besieged by zombies, symbolizing an onslaught of challenges and adversities. This house, once a cocoon, has transformed into a prison, with nightly echoes of lost souls adding to the chilling atmosphere. The inhabitants live in constant fear and silence, ever trying to escape, yet perpetually surrounded by the lurking “monsters” outside their walls. Morning brings no respite, as madness and insanity continue to rage and threaten their sanctuary.
Your Pain is a loving encomium to a lost loved one:
“Your Pain is a song that I feel deeply connected to,” Ivi says. “I lost my father in April, this song is for him. He was ill for almost a year, sometimes he felt a bit better, some days not.
Your Pain is about his pain, my pain, and pain itself. We do what we can to avoid feelings that we paint as negative, like grief and pain, but I find that letting the pain run through my veins and experiencing it fully helps me to understand it better and enjoy every moment and smile I get on the way to the other side of it. The synth melody on this song expresses my deepest feelings far better than the words I’m sharing with you here.”
The sensuous Skeletons shifts gears a bit, emphasizing a deep sensation that’s felt “in the bones.” This profound link is likened to the enduring nature of “skeletons” and the timeless taste of “eternity.” The repeated phrases reinforce this unyielding and intrinsic bond between the two entities.
Dark Soot struggles with darkness and fear. The recurring imagery of ashes, darkness, and black soot symbolize the emotional turmoil and weight of the singer’s fears, which feel suffocating and inescapable. Despite a yearning for life and light, the singer feels ensnared by shadows and darkness, indicating a deep internal battle between hope and despair. The lyrics also touch on themes of mortality, the passage of time, and the fear of losing one’s soul, adding depth to the emotional landscape of the song.
Flesh describes a visceral experience of physical ailment, with vivid imagery of bacteria and creatures invading the singer’s body. Amidst the torment, the singer grapples with their humanity and identity, pondering if they’ve become a mere vessel for their afflictions.
Fear is about confronting and mastering that which frightens us, transforming it into empowerment and celebrating the ability to find beauty in darkness.
The chanting Sacrifice delves into the complexities of a turbulent relationship marked by intense emotions of love and disdain. A longing for metamorphosis is further highlighted through mystical imagery, where the singer wishes to meld with the other person to become something entirely new – a chimera with hopeful visions. Finally the compelling French-lanaguage Abysses narrates a surreal journey of immersion in another’s gaze, leading to a watery abyss.
The potency of the album Ritual is drawn directly from the depths of their very souls, serving as a heartfelt homage to fervent love and the vibrancy of existence.
Originating from the artistic souls of Ivi Topp and Lis Araignée, Denuit is a testament to their electronic heartbeat. Straddling the clarity of daylight and the allure of dusk, their sound is a fusion of cyberpunk aesthetics and Poe’s melancholic poetry, resulting in a raw, impassioned resonance. Their tracks, sculpted from their deepest sentiments, reflect the multifaceted nature of love and life’s marvels. Their artistry is a tribute to the relentless cadence of human existence.
Central to their distinctive sound is what Denuit dubs ‘Night-Wave.’ This auditory mosaic intertwines the spectral vibes of icons like Siouxsie, Zola Jesus, and Kompromat, creating a phantasmal symphony. The result of this enchanting fusion of sounds? A harmonious blend of shadow and light, a melodic dance between the nocturnal and the supernatural.
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