I grabbed the promo for this release because A) it was on Antiq Records, home of the finest medieval black metal, and B) the band moniker reminded me of French folk metal act Boisson Divine, whose La Halha I reviewed back in 2020, and rather enjoyed.

Well, lo and behold Moisson Livide (‘Angry/Livid Harvest’) is in fact the brainchild of Darkagnan, aka Baptiste Labenne from Boisson Divine (‘Divine Drink’). He plays everything here (Bass, Boha, Bouzouki, Guitars, Guitars (acoustic), Keyboards, Lap steel guitar, Oboe, Saxophone, Vocals, Tin whistle). However, he has a veritable army of guests, including plenty of Boisson Divine folks.

Whereas Boisson is far more folky and happy and based on heavy metal, Labenne’s involvement in some black metal projects as well as the discovery of some French Antiq Records bands like Véhémence and Abduction led him down the path of much blacker metal and a debut with Antiq Records (a perfect match)  and some epic promotional photos.

The ‘Gascony’ themed black/folk metal retains some of his other project’s folky instruments but adds some melodic power/black metal structures and rasped vocals that will be familiar to fans of Antiq Records roster, its triumphant, medieval, and rousing. But the addition of some clean vocals for the choruses and the heaps of French instrumentation (as well as entirely Gascon vocals, add some real flare.

From opener ‘La sèrp d’Isavit” (The Isaby snake) to closer “Caçaire d’eternitat” (Hunter of Eternity), the album is 6 rangy songs (and one interlude) that are an utter joy, with uplifting melodies and choruses, and just enough very competent black metal and 6/8 riffs to keep things a little fiercer than Labenne’ other band.

A couple of moments really stand out, like the epic trumpets that both start and feature in the middle section of the title track, which also has an epic earworm chorus and feverishly melodic riff. Or the short, sharp punky sheer, and shout-along chorus of “A.C.A.B. (Armanhaqués Comandò Anti-Borgesòts). Or what I can only describe as a kazoo ensemble that heralds a stunning blast beat halfway through the rousing closer  “Caçaire d’eternitat”.

Labenne’s solid grasp of black metal as well as his folk roots really come together perfectly here (I mean listen to “L’òmi xens passat” (The man with no past) and make for an outstanding album, and a match made in heaven for Antiq Records, adding yet another solid band and release to their roster and discography.

[Visit the band's website]

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