Alcest
From:
France
Last Known Status: Active
Latest Alcest News
Below is our complete Alcest news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Displaying records 1 - 20 of 61 1 2 3 4 Last
Cult Of Luna To Tour Europe With Alcest
After the long, dark time that fans have had to go without the mesmerising beauty of Alcest's live shows, the French duo are proud to share some great news - Alcest will support Swedish post metal band Cult Of Luna on their 2022 European tour. Alcest and Cult Of Luna will be joined on the road by Svalbard, and will be playing at London venue The Forum on 12th March. This special show will be a part of Cult Of Luna's self-curated Beyond the Redshift festival, which is returning to London for the first time in eight years!
Alcest's Neige states:
"We are very pleased to have been invited by Cult Of Luna as special guests on their upcoming European tour. This is going to be great and we can’t wait to finally see you all again!"
Johannes from Cult of Luna commented on the London show:
"Eight years after our first Beyond the Redshift festival in London, we're doing it again. The line-up is curated by us and we are determined to bring you a bunch of our favourite artists and bands you didn’t know you were a fan of. Bands are being booked as I write this and we’re going to announce the full line-up later this summer. It will be la grande finale of the tour and we hope to see you there."
The tour dates are as follows: More...
Alcest Releases New "Protection" Acoustic Video
In these troubled times, blackgaze pioneers Alcest shine a little light into the dark with their otherworldly sound. Labeled as innovators of a surreal genre mixing shoegaze and black metal, the French duo have established themselves as a forerunner of their own style of music that draws the listener into a dreamy soundscape, achieving them over 42 million streams worldwide.
Their latest studio album "Spiritual Instinct" saw the light of day in 2019 via Nuclear Blast. The record was supported by a massive European tour which included several sold out shows. With Spiritual Instinct, Neige and Winterhalter melded both the heavy and lighter aspects of the band, and today, Alcest present a brand-new face to their art with a cinematic instrumental acoustic version of their hit single "Protection." More...
74 More Bands Confirmed For Graspop 2020
The organisers of Belgium's premier metal festival, Graspop Metal Meeting have confirmed a further 74 bands for next year's edition of the event. Among the newly confirmed bands joining previously announced headliners Judas Priest and Iron Maiden will be hard rock pioneers Deep Purple, nu metal favourites Korn, Chicago stars Disturbed, the recently reunited Mercyful Fate, California's own, Deftones and pop punk stars The Offspring. The festival will take place across four days from 18th-21st of June.
The lineup (in alphabetical order) is now as follows: More...
Alcest Adds London Show To European Tour
In February and March 2020 Alcest will hit the road again, in support of their new studio album Spiritual Instinct, that saw the light of day last month. Today, Alcest are pleased to reveal that a London show date has been added to the UK leg, set to take place on March 4th at Heaven - directly followed by shows in Manchester and Bristol. French hardcore punk act Birds In Row as well as the Icelandic synth pop trio Kaelan Mikla will be supporting the blackgaze pioneers, on all 29 dates.
Spiritual Instinct Tour 2020
Support: Birds In Row + Kaelan Mikla
06.02. FR Audincourt - Le Moloco
07.02. FR Tourcoing - Le Grand Mix
08.02. FR Lyon - Ninkasi Kao
09.02. DE Munich - Technikum
10.02. DE Cologne - Kantine
11.02. DE Hamburg - Gruenspan
12.02. DE Leipzig - Täubchenthal
13.02. DE Berlin - Heimathafen
14.02. DE Hanover - Capitol
15.02. DK Copenhagen - Pumpehuset
16.02. SE Stockholm - Fryshuset Klubben
18.02. FI Helsinki - Tavastia
19.02. LV Riga - Melna Piektdiena
20.02. PL Warsaw - Klub Proxima
21.02. PL Krakow - Klub Kwadrat
22.02. AT Vienna - Szene
23.02. HU Budapest - A38
24.02. RO Cluj-Napoca - Form Space
25.02. RO Bucharest - Quantic Club
26.02. BG Sofia - Mixtape 5
28.02. SL Ljubljana - Kino Šiška
29.02. IT Parma - Campus Industry Music
01.03. CH Lucerne - Schüür
02.03. DE Stuttgart - Im Wizemann
03.03. BE Brussels - Orangerie @ Botanique
04.03. UK London - Heaven
05.03. UK Manchester - Gorilla
06.03. UK Bristol - The Fleece
07.03. FR Paris - La Machine du Moulin Rouge
Alcest Uploads Studio Documentary
Today, Alcest release their 6th studio album and Nuclear Blast debut "Spiritual Instinct" upon the world. To celebrate, the band has unveiled a studio documentary titled "La lumière autant que l'ombre," accompanied with the acoustic instrumental version of their new track "Protection," which was recorded by Neige and can also be found exclusively as a bonus track on select versions of the album. Watch the video below.
Frontman Neige states, "We are happy to release 'La lumière autant que l'ombre,' the making-of 'Spiritual Instinct,' filmed by the talented William Lacalmontie. William spent a lot of time with Benoît Roux and the band at Drudenhaus Studio in order to capture our moods, as well as glimpses from the long journey that was this recording process. Hope you guys will enjoy it." More...
Alcest Announces European Tour
In February and March 2020 Alcest will hit the road again, this time in support of their upcoming studio album Spiritual Instinct that will see the light of day on October 25th. This headline tour will take them to our shores for two dates in March 2020, in Manchester and Bristol, following on from an extensive European run. The blackgaze pioneers are happy to announce that the French hardcore punk act Birds In Row as well as the Icelandic synth pop trio Kælan Mikla will support them on all 29 dates.
Neige comments: "We are so excited to finally reveal the European dates of our tour for Spiritual Instinct. We will be accompanied by Birds In Row from France and Kælan Mikla from Iceland. These are going to be special nights and we are really looking forward to see you all again."
See Alcest on one of these dates of their Spiritual Instinct European Tour: More...
Alcest Premiere New Song “Sapphire”
Another new song from Alcest‘s impending album “Spiritual Instinct“ has premiered online. The second advance track from the album, “Sapphire“, went up on YouTube and is streaming for you below:
Alcest Premiere New Single “Protection”
Alcest‘s new record “Spiritual Instinct” has been lined up for an October 25th release by Nuclear Blast. Below the band premiere a first track called “Protection” off of the album:
Alcest Re-Issuing "Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde"
Released in 2007, Alcest's debut album, "Souvenirs d'un autre monde," marks the starting point of the French band's extraordinary career.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of this groundbreaking record, Prophecy Productions has unveiled plans to reissue "Souvenirs d'un autre monde" in two very special limited edition formats on September 22nd.
With the release of "Souvenirs d'un autre monde" (English: "Memories from another world"), Alcest mastermind Neige forged a luminous sound that floats on the fringes of metal, yet incorporates emotions of euphoria, bliss, and nostalgia. The album has become known as one of the fundamental releases of the blackgaze / post-black metal genre, and a record that continually influences countless other bands in its wake.
In 2016, the release was selected by Pitchfork as one of its "50 Best Shoegaze Albums of All Time."
1. Printemps Émeraude ("Emerald Spring")
2. Souvenirs d'un autre monde ("Memories from another world")
3. Les Iris ("The Iris")
4. Ciel Errant ("Wandering Sky")
5. Sur l'autre rive je t'attendrai ("On the other shore I will wait for you")
6. Tir nan Og (Irish: "Land of the Young") More...
Dark Bombastic Evening Documentary Posted Online
Romanian video editor Gina Sandulescu has released an hour long documentary chronicling the 7th edition of the Dark Bombastic Evening festival that took place last month.
The documentary features interviews with Jon Aldara (Hamferð, Barren Earth), Stefan Belda (Prophecy Productions), Neige (Alcest, Sylvaine), Mihai 'Coro' Caraveteanu (Axa Valaha Productions) and many more. More...
OpEd
Metal Must Evolve
My biggest issue with metal in the 2010s is that in contrast to the past three decades, there's just a lack of creativity. Newer metalcore is being increasingly influenced by nu-metal and post-hardcore as the new musicians who are in their 20s and 30s are now playing music that's entirely an amalgam of what they grew up with as teens rather than creating anything new.
Blackgaze was novel for the first few years but now feels like the light beer version of black metal at this point that doesn't have the same edge that metal is supposed to have. I'm not sure if I want black metal to have a kinder, gentler, dare I say, “cuddlier” face when compared to the antisocial behavior that defined the second wave. When I hear a band like Alcest or Deafheaven, I don't feel like these are maniacs with serious mental issues precisely because it sounds way too calculated and professional for my aging ears.
Djent is nice but often feels too monotonous to really do justice to how technical it is. For, “progressive metal” the songwriting lacks the same level of unexpected changes in direction that make progressive rock acts like Rush and Yes so appealing. Yeah, Djent is heavy but it's also often predicable when unconventional songwriting is half of what separates metal and makes it so special and unique. Blackened sludge on the othe rhand is only going to appeal to people who want extremely raw production... who will never be great enough in number to establish a trend rather than a fad. More...
Alcest Wrapping Up Work On Album
Parisian post-metal duo Alcest will release a new album this fall via Prophecy Productions. The band -- vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Neige and drummer Winterhalter -- is currently putting the finishing touches on the record, which is described as "intense songs full of contrasts and dynamics."
The as-yet-untitled release follows the duo's celebrated 2014 LP, "Shelter," hailed as “capable of great feats of mood and beauty” by Pitchfork and “intoxicating” by Rolling Stone.
"For the past 3 months we have been recording our new album, and right now we are doing small adjustments on the mix," comments Neige. "It's coming to an end of a very long journey (the longest studio experience we've had so far) and we feel quite exhausted, but really happy. For each album we try to challenge ourselves, developing the songs in new directions. This time will be just as special, but also a return to the approach we had in our earlier albums; with intense songs full of contrasts and dynamics. Even if this album is quite 'alien' in character, we felt the need to come back to the origins of the project. The release date is planned for Autumn 2016 and then we will embark on a 37 date European co-headlining tour with the Japanese band Mono. We are very much looking forward to this tour and to show you the work of our last couple of years."
This summer, Alcest will join label mates Germ,, Secrets of the Moon, Les Discrets, Helrunar, Völur and more at the 2016 Prophecy Fest, set to take place July 29-30 inside Balver Höhle, "a natural cave from old stone age" in Balve, Germany. For full details, visit this location. More...
Alcest Announces North American Tour
Parisian post-metal duo Alcest has announced a fall North American headlining tour. Alcest will launch the month-long trek on September 19th in Mexico City running through October 17th in Philadelphia, PA.
Support on the tour will come from singer-songwriter and visual artist Emma Ruth Rundle. Alcest continues to perform globally in support of its most recent album, "Shelter."
"We are very happy to announce that Alcest will tour in Mexico and North America in September and October of 2015,” comments band member Neige. “It’s been three years since we played in North America as headliners, so we are very excited to be back. Our support guest on this tour will be the talented Emma Ruth Rundle (Marriages, Red Sparrowes). Be sure to catch us on one of these dates!" More...
Alcest To Tour With Opeth
Alcest has checked in with the following announcement about upcoming live shows in Europe:
"We are very proud to announce that Alcest will go on tour with Opeth in October/November in Europe for the release of their new album 'Pale Communion.' Don't miss this line-up!"
10.10.2014 UK - Bristol / 02 Academy
11.10.2014 UK - London / Roundhouse
12.10.2014 UK - Nottingham / Rock City
14.10.2014 SCO - Glasgow / Abc 2
15.10.2014 UK - Manchester / Academy
16.10.2014 UK - Birmingham / The Institute
24.10.2014 DE - Stuttgart / LKA
25.10.2014 DE - Köln / Live Music Hall
26.10.2014 DE - Berlin / Huxley's Neue Welt
27.10.2014 PL - Warsaw / Progresja
29.10.2014 CZ - Prague / Roxy
30.10.2014 AT - Vienna / Arena
31.10.2014 DE - Munich / Theaterfabrik
01.11.2014 CH - Zürich / Komplex 457
03.11.2014 IT - Milano / Alcatraz
05.11.2014 FR - Paris / Bataclan
06.11.2014 BE - Brussels / AB
07.11.2014 NL - Amsterdam / Heineken Music Hall
08.11.2014 DE - Hamburg / Große Freiheit
09.11.2014 DK - Copenhagen / Store Vega
11.11.2014 FI - Tampere / Pakkahuone
12.11.2014 FI - Helsinki / The Circus
14.11.2014 NO - Oslo / Sentrum Scene
15.11.2014 SW - Stockholm / Munchenbryggeriet More...
Alcest Releases New Music Video
Alcest has released a video for the first single "Opale" taken off the band's upcoming album "Shelter."
The video was created by Toshadeva Palani and can be viewed below, courtesy of Stereogum.com. The full "Shelter" track listing is as follows:
1. Wings
2. Opale
3. La Nuit Marche Avec Moi
4. Voix Sereines
5. L'Eveil Des Muses
6. Shelter
7. Away
8. Délivrance
Deluxe edition bonus track:
9. Into The Waves More...
Alcest To Release New Album
"Shelter" is the fourth album by contemporary shoegazers Alcest, the destination of a long creative musical journey into vast new territories. The album is due out January 21st, 2014 via Prophecy Productions and the label comments:
"More than ever the French outfit consisting of mastermind and multi-instrumentalist Neige and drummer Winterhalter embraces the dreamy guitar textures of shoegaze and blends it with the sweetness of british band Cocteau Twins- dream pop pioneers of the mid to late 80's era, epic, soundtrack-like melodies and progressive song structures.
"The album which features guest appearances from Slowdive's Neil Halstead (lead vocals on the song 'Away'), Sweden's Promise And The Monster’s Billie Lindahl and Amiina's strings sections was recorded at Sundlaugin Studio, Iceland, with Sigur Rós producer Birgir Jón Birgisson who masterfully gave 'Shelter' its light and ethereal sound. More...
Alcest To Tour With Hexvessel
Alcest has announced a 20 date European tour together with Hexvessel and The Fauns. Dates are available below, and the band comments:
"We are glad to reveal our three-weeks tour in January/February 2014 in Europe to promote Alcest's upcoming album 'Shelter.' We will be accompanied by our friends from Hexvessel, the Finnish folk/psychedelic sorcerers whom we've played with several times already. Also with us will be The Fauns, a great shoegaze/dream pop act from UK, signed on Invada, the label ran by Geoff Barrow (Portishead). We worked a lot on this package to make it as diverse and interesting as possible and hope you will enjoy it!"
17.01.2014 AT - Vienna / Szene
18.01.2014 DE - Munich / Backstage Halle
19.01.2014 CH - Lucerne / Schüür
21.01.2014 DE - Cologne / Gebäude 9
22.01.2014 DE - Berlin / Lido
23.01.2014 PL - Warszawa / Klub Hydrozagadka
24.01.2014 LT - Vilnius / New York Club
25.01.2014 FI - Helsinki / Korjaamo
26.01.2014 FI - Tampere / Klubi
28.01.2014 NO - Oslo / John Dee
29.01.2014 SW - Stockholm / Debaser Ballroom
30.01.2014 DK - Copenhagen / BETA
31.01.2014 NL - Arnhem / Luxor Live
01.02.2014 UK - London / Islington Assembly Hall
02.02.2014 FR - Paris / Divan Du Monde
04.02.2014 PO - Porto / Hard Club
05.02.2014 ES - Madrid / Joy Eslava
06.02.2014 ES - Barcelona / Apolo
07.02.2014 FR - Luynes / Le Korigan
08.02.2014 IT - Brescia / Circolo Colony
Alcest Video Interview Available
Guided By Metal sat down with Neige of France's Alcest to talk about the new album "Shelter," discussing guest vocalists, release dates, themes, and side projects. The interview took place at the Getaway Rock festival in Gävle, Sweden and can be viewed below.
Anathema Comments On Upcoming Tour Dates
Vincent Cavanagh, frontman for heralded atmospheric rock band Anathema, has commented on the group's impending North American tour with co-headliner Alcest and special guest Mamiffer.
"I can't wait," said the talented vocalist/guitarist. "Such a cool line up - three bands that move in different spheres while sharing the intent to create music that is honest, forward-thinking and uninhibited.
"I first met Stéphane from Alcest last year, discussing '90's shoegaze bands in a forest in Lithuania! He is someone for whom I have great respect. Their music is melodic and soulful, full of dream-like imagery.
"Mamiffer are true artists. The dynamic mix of stark piano, crushing melancholic textures and choral reverie is something to behold. Exactly the kind of thing I'm into, so I'm really looking forward to it."
Anathema has only performed twice as a full band in North America, at the infamous Milwaukee Metal Fest in 2000 and 2001, as well as supporting a few dates of Blackfield's 2011 tour as an acoustic duo. The fall 2013 co-headlining tour will see the band play many cities in both the U.S. and Canada for the first time, beginning September 12th in Philadelphia, Pa. More...
Alcest To Tour With Anathema
In September/October 2013 Alcest will take a break from working on an upcoming fourth album to embark on a double-headlining USA and Canada tour with the masters of atmospheric rock, Anathema. This is what Alcest's Neige has to say about the tour:
"We feel honored to tour with Anathema and Mamiffer. Since years Anathema is making this unique mix of prog and emotional rock. Mamiffer is the post-rock/experimental band of Faith Coloccia and Aaron Turner, talented Isis founding member and founder of Hydra Head Records. Sounds like a diverse and attractive billing! And this will also be the opportunity for us to play a few songs from our next album. See you in a few months!" More...
