Via Doloris is rooted in an inward journey rather than orthodoxy. Conceived in solitude and shaped by discipline, composer and multi-instrumentalist Gildas Le Pape (ex-Satyricon) traces a melodic, atmospheric and introspective path through black metal’s foundations. On debut album Guerre et Paix, he’s joined by Frost, the legendary drummer of Satyricon and 1349, who provides a sense of persistence, grounded and unyielding.
Guerre et Paix was released yesterday, March 20 on Season of Mist, and you can hear all seven piercing songs by listening to the full album stream on Black Metal Promotion.
Order the album here: https://orcd.co/viadolorisguerreetpaix
Born in Brittany, France, and based in Oslo, Le Pape first gained attention as guitarist in Satyricon from 2007 to 2013, touring extensively and contributing to the band’s self-titled album. After stepping away to explore a broad range of musical directions, he returned to extreme music with a renewed creative vision and sharpened intent. Via Doloris represents the culmination of that journey: a project shaped by solitude, discipline and an uncompromising sense of craft.
Rooted in Nordic black metal tradition yet guided by melody, restraint and emotional depth, Via Doloris occupies a space distinct from genre convention. Le Pape writes all music and lyrics, performing guitars, bass and vocals. The compositions favor measured, expressive arcs over aggression or spectacle, with melody serving as the driving force rather than ornamentation. Folk and pagan influences surface throughout the arrangements, lending the album a timeless, almost ritualistic atmosphere. Lyrics shift between French, English and Norwegian, each language chosen deliberately for its emotional weight and texture.
Frost’s nuanced playing adds both weight and subtlety to the record. Guest vocals on “Omniprésents” are performed by the late Raido (Ferriterium, Heimsgard, Karne).
Tracklist:
- Communion (06:29)
- Un Franc Soleil (06:58)
- Omniprésents (07:26)
- For The Glory (07:38) [WATCH]
- Ultime Tourment (10:12)
- Visdommens Vei I (07:11)
- Visdommens Vei II (02:05)
Full runtime: 48:01
VIA DOLORIS is the vision of founder Gildas Le Pape. Through sound, he crafts a world where emotion, discipline, and atmosphere converge — a place to give shape to what cannot be spoken. Rooted in solitude and shaped by the interplay of darkness and beauty, the project confronts the gravity of existence: the quiet burdens we carry, the hidden wounds time buries deep, the road to death. This “Way of Suffering” unfolds as a passage through pain in search of meaning, and the distant, flickering promise of rebirth.
Via Doloris’ musical identity draws from the towering legacy of Nordic metal while forging a distinct path. At its core lies a commitment to detailed guitar work, high-level musicianship, and the art of songcraft. Rather than follow genre trends, Via Doloris returns melody to its rightful place: not as decoration, but as the driving force of the music. These strong, expressive lines guide the compositions with raw clarity, carving out a language that speaks directly to the listener’s inner world.
Though the instrumentation nods to black metal’s formal foundations, the project resists confinement. It blends harmonic depth with subtle dissonance, creating tension and richness without sacrificing cohesion. Folk and pagan influences run like ancestral threads through the arrangements, lending them a sacral, mythic quality. The result is a sound built on contrasts: luminous and shadowed, forceful yet introspective, epic yet intimate. Layered into this sonic landscape are lyrics written in French, English, and Norwegian. Each language brings its own weight, rhythm, and tone, unlocking emotional registers that feel both ancient and immediate.
Based in Oslo, Gildas Le Pape first gained attention in 2007 when he joined the legendary Satyricon as a guitarist. Over the next six years, he toured the world and contributed to the band’s recorded legacy, before stepping away to explore a broad range of musical directions. In time, this path led him back to extreme music, this time with a renewed creative vision and sharpened intent. In 2023, he invited his long-time collaborator, Frost — arguably one of the most accomplished drummers in the genre — to join him in bringing the debut release to life.
Line-up:
Gildas le Pape — Lead Vocals, Choirs, Guitars, Bass
Frost — Session Drums
Production Credits:
Drums and vocals recorded at Red Room Studios, Norway.
Drums and vocals engineered by Mattis Elvestuen, guitars engineered by Gildas Le Pape & Mattis Elvestuen.
Produced by Gildas le Pape.
Mixed by Nicolai Codling & Gildas le Pape.
Mastered by Magnus Gulbrandsen at Jeløy Sound Mastering.
Guest Artist:
Raido (Ferriterium, Heimsgard, Karne) — Guest Vocals on Track 3.
Cover Art:
Artwork by Gildas le Pape.
Photography:
Cover artwork & press photography by Linnea Syversen.
Follow Via Doloris:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/viadolorisofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/via.doloris/
Bandcamp: https://viadoloris.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2R3PxQ7zeA3BpPhpI1JlxF
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/via-doloris/1862267909
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/362455292
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