Up to now French Glorior Belli has released seven albums. The man behind it all is none other than Billy Bayou and on this new one, just like on many of its predecessors, he is resolutely taking matters into his own hands. This eighth album is released by American Dark Empire Records. I actually came across this work by chance by stumbling upon the videoclip below. It has been quiet around this band for quite a long time, the reason why is not entirely clear to me. For this release the information is fairly brief as well and the new album seems to come out of the blue. Well, you won’t hear me complain.
The Apostates from 2018 is its illustrious predecessor and is, according to my eyes and ears, a great melodic black metal record with nods to jazz, black and roll and a few other subgenres. That is exactly why this French band is immediately recognizable. Mr. Bayou has a characteristic way of screaming and phrasing lyrics and the riffs by his hand are often finger-licking good as well. Think of bangers like Hangin Crepe, Jerkwater Redemption, Runaway Charly or from an earlier record a song like Satanists Out Of Cosmic Jail. In the meantime, the vinyl version that I managed to get my hands onto had already been spinning quite a few rounds.
What is peculiar about this edition is the color: it looks like a Pokéball. There also appears to be a reference to Ukraine on one side by means of yellow-blue colors. This leads me to suspect, but I am not sure in the absence of texts and such, that a political message is also integrated into the whole.
The eight songs are nicely divided over two sides as it should be but looking at the vinyl it is not easy to decide which side is A en which one is B. After some thinking I suspect I started with the right side as we hear a Ukrainian battle cry opening the first song Yore’s Grandeur. The whole thing sounds more experimental and avant-garde than before. However, you can really hear Bayou’s style on both guitar and bass. The drum parts on the other hand can be called a bit thin and could be originating from a computer. You can hear this especially in the following Glorior Belli and particularly in the toms. This track and definitely The Foul Fiends as well really lean towards the musicality of The Apostates, sliding bass work as well as choir singing grabbing your attention.
A song like Clandestine Camaraderie really does contain a lot of older Glorior Belli. Just listen to the way Mr. Bayou delivers the lyrics. The Adversary also finds its place in the somewhat more modern whole the new record exudes. One could say that side B of this new vinyl honors the link with earlier work whereas side A shows a somewhat more experimental Glorior Belli.
Mr. Bayou is finally back with new music by releasing a new Glorior Belli album. This eighth, self-titled album has its strong points and ditto songs but so far it still can’t quite grab me by the throat. Maybe it needs a few more spins, as was also the case with the man’s earlier work, so no need to be sad just yet.
Score:
85/100
Label:
Dark Empire Records, 2025
Tracklisting:
- Yore’s Grandeur
- Glorior Belli
- The Foul Fiends
- Weltschmerz Wield Power
- Clandestine Camaraderie
- The Adversary
- Cauchemar Rouge
- When Battle is Fought and Victory Won
Line-up:
- Billy Bayou – Vocals, all instruments
Links: