Terragon/Chaptre III: The Middle Earth - Part One/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Terragon  are  a  solo  project  from  France  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  atmospheric  and  Tolkien  themed  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  20222  album  "Chaptre  III:  The  Middle  Earth  -  Part  One".

  Epic  sounding  synths  start  of  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Spoken  word  parts  and  whispers  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  some  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing.  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  the  album  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments.

  Clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  all  of  the  music  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction  and  the  closing  track  is  a  cover  of  "Gollum's  Song"  from  the  Two  Towers  soundtrack  which  also  ads  in  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals..  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  writings  of  J.R.R  Tolkien. 

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Terragon  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  epic  and  atmospheric  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Snow  White!  Oh  Lady  Clear"  "Song  Of  Nimrodel"  "When  Evening  in  The  Shire  Was  Grey"  and  "From  Eragion  To  Khazad  Dum".  8  out  of  10.

https://xterragonx.bandcamp.com/album/chapitre-iii-the-middle-earth-part-one       

Terragon Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?

I started thinking about it in 1996, that's when composition in the Atmospheric Black style.

At that time I composed everything on the keyboard at first and then I added the guitars. A demo was born in 1998 with 6 tracks, but without vocals.

It was in 2004 that I really got serious about composing with Chapter I, for which the composition was done on the same pattern, first the keyboard, drums... then the guitars... And a big sleep phase until 2019

2.In April you had released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Totally different ! I focused first on the guitars! and then I put on the keyboards!! But the keyboard is very little present, except on the orchestral parts. Technology has also evolved a lot, everything has been done by computer. the concept is also very different

3.This is also your first release in 18 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

That period wore me out… at that time. I played in two bands, "Spectrums Of Oblivion" as guitar/vocals and in “Ancêtres” as guitarist.

Between the rehearsals every week, the concerts sometimes... a brief passage in a third band but that I don't talk about, bad memory... At the same time, I had an association (Metal C.H.A.O.S.) with a member of Spectrums Of Oblivion. We organized concerts, co-productions, we did a webzine and a fanzine which lasted a year.

So in 2007 I stopped everything…. It took five years... Five very intense years because I also worked at night in my personal life! It was crazy…

4.The lyrics on the new album are based upon the writings and poetry of ;Charles Bauldelaire, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his works?

It's a bit thanks to “Ancêtres”. When I discovered this Band in 2002!! the first title was an intro on the music of Prokofiev "Romeo and juliette"! the lyrics were "Au Lecteur". I loved the interpretation... . I wanted to pay tribute with this title and do it my way

, and then…. I told myself ! Wouldn't it hurt to do more!! Rotting Christ had taken over "Les Litanies de Satan".....and that's how I continued...He had an amazing life!! the trial of "Les Fleurs du mal", his life of debauchery… his excesses…. His work…

5.A lot of your earlier lyrics also covered satanic, occult and anti Christianity themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?

Yes… religion is really a scourge… A deep hatred against all these doctrines… a small dedication also to Anne Rice with Vampire

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Terragon'?

I was looking for a name… I opened a book and I came across it! It is especially the pronunciation that I like to hear! because you have to read it with an E at the end!! Terragone (in French). For the meaning, it is a protective demon of sorcerers and diviner! it was especially the sound of the name that I liked

7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

The drawing was made by my tattoo artist! the representation of time.. of death… of his addiction to morphine with the chemical symbol.. and of course his portrait!! I am very satisfied with his work

8.With this project you record everything by yourself but have had experience working with bands in the past, do you prefer to work solo?

I was a little lost with the new technology, I had a lot of advice from my friend Nercron from Gergovia.. Especially on mixing and mastering…. As explained above, yes I have a good experience of working in a group! they are two different approaches… I like both… Now I couldn't do what I was doing again… lack of time!! But the desire to play with someone again… why not….

9.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

At the time I had released it under Metal C.H.A.O.S) I had been able to do a big promotion… For this new album, I will release it in co Prod on the Acid Vicious label… it should be released in June

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

I had good reviews...no memories or very negative ones...for Chapter I I really did a big promo, I sent them everywhere!! but today it's a little different, a lot by social networks... to see how it will be done! … I sent by bad mail as I did with you !! and returns are very rare...

11.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I have almost finished all the compositions for the next one! Everything will be about Tolkien's universe, there is a lot of song in his writings, which can be found in the lord of the rings... I'm a big fan of his stories. And this time, the song will be in English because I want to keep the original meaning of the text.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I listen to a lot of film music… including all of Howard Shore's work for what he did for the Peter Jackson films. Also Tyler Bates for the music of John Wick. Classical music … like Prokofiev Particularly … but many others.

The music of Chaostar with Christos Antoniou…. Dead can Dance for this atmosphere… Dargaard which rests and transports me when I read…

But of course !! Black Metal nevertheless remains my main listening. With Blut Aus Nord, which remains for me the most successful…

Burzum.. Behemoth… Mayhem… Marduk.. Immortal.. Aeternus…. many many more

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? 

Thank you for your attention ! long life for your work..

Link Bandcamp : https://xterragonx.bandcamp.com/

Link plateformes: https://spinnup.link/517730-chapitre-ii-baudelaire

Terragon/Chapitre II: Baudelaire/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Terragon  are  a  solo  project  from  France  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2022  album  "Chapitre  II:  Baudelaire".

  Choirs  and  keyboards  start  off  the  album  along  with  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  before  introducing  grim  black  metal  screams  and  programmed  drum  beats  onto  the  recording.  The  recording  also  has  its  avant  garde  and  orchestral  moments  while  also  adding  in  some  touches  of  classical  music  and  melodies  are  also  added  some  of  the  heavier  riffing.

  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  along  with  the  songs  also  capturing  a  poetic  atmosphere  as  well  as  a  couple  of  tracks  also  introducing  clean  playing  and  acoustic  guitars onto  the  recording  and  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  album  more  of  a r aw  feeling.

Terragon  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  orchestral  music  and  mixes  it  with  atmospheric  black  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and r aw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  French  and  cover  the  poetry  of  Charles  Baudelaire.

  In  my  opinion  Terragon  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Un  Fantôme  ( les  ténèbres..  Le  parfum..  Le  cadre..  le  Portrait...)"  "Dance Macabre"  "Les  Litanies  de  Satan"  and  "Moestra  et  errabunda".  8  out  of  10.

https://xterragonx.bandcamp.com/