VESTIGE formed during an intense period of individual turmoil. But after vocalist and guitarist Théodore Rondeau and his old Naraka bandmates Pierre-André Krauzer (bassist) and Quentin Regnault (drums) bonded with guitarist Thomas Petit over a shared love for metal innovators like Alcest and Deftones, together, the four-piece embarked on their own journey toward a modern vision of metal that’s both cathartic and crushing.
“A compelling blend of emotive depth, shoegaze resplendence, melodic grace, atmospheric presence and aggressive heaviness”, Wonderbox Metal writes about their debut album Janis.
Janis was released yesterday, Friday, June 6, and you can hear all eleven heart-wrenching songs by listening to the full album stream on Season of Mist’s YouTube channel. Order the album at https://orcd.co/vestigejanis
Vestige draws inspiration from modern metal mainstays, but Janis encapsulates all the individual pieces that make the band unique. Lead single “Deviens La Nuit” shifts seamlessly from chugging riffs and tortured growls to melodic shoegaze and atmospheric post-metal before closing with a doomy and dissonant, head-banging breakdown.
Janis was written as a way for Rondeau to find his way out of an intense period of melancholy, despair and anger. “Corrosion” is an anthem for those who have lost their way but still have faith that they will find themselves again. Rondeau’s vocals are soft and haunting before hardening into a full-throated scream as the band flips on the aggression. “Automne” is a somber, chilling two–part reflection that features Neige from Alcest.
“I like comparing the record to an architectural piece”, Rondeau told New Noise. “Each stone can be approached, watched and appreciated as a unique piece. But when you assemble them all together, you get the whole building, taking in its whole meaning. I just needed to translate what I felt in notes, melodies, energy, and it helped me back then to express my distress”.
Tracklist1. Différent (2:47)
2. Deviens la Nuit (5:29) [WATCH]
3. Démence de l’Âme (6:25)
4. Océan (5:27)
5. Automne Part 1 (5:50) [WATCH]
6. Automne Part 2 feat Neige (Alcest) (4:54) [WATCH]
7. Appel de l’Âme (4:15)
8. Corrosion (5:16) [WATCH]
9. Stigmates du Temps (4:34)
10. Envol de l’Âme (5:40)
11. Avant la Fin (7:15)
Total runtime: 57:53
Théodore Rondeau, the creative initiator behind VESTIGE, embarked on a journey of forming the band during a turbulent phase in his life. Emerged as a creative vessel for a complicated emotional journey, the band transcends the boundaries of individual therapy into a collaborative force that hopefully resonates with the feelings that may be all too common for the human experience.
With a profound connection to their craft, VESTIGE pour their souls into their debut album, infusing it with a captivating blend of melancholy, desperation, and catharsis. The music serves not only as an expression of their turmoil, but as a conduit for listeners to navigate the complexities of their own emotions. Through this process, VESTIGE becomes a project with the potential to connect with people on a profound level, forging a collective experience through the universal language of music.
The formation of VESTIGE’s lineup reads like a musical destiny unfolding: Pierre-André Krauzer on the bass, Quentin Regnault on drums, and Théodore on vocals and guitar. They first crossed paths during their tenure in Naraka, a band that shared stages with icons like Cradle of Filth and Alcest. This initial connection laid the groundwork for the formation of the band. Not long after, the addition of Thomas Petit on the second guitar solidified the lineup, bringing a sense of completeness to the ensemble. The band’s sonic identity now established; VESTIGE was ready to share this experience with the world.
The signing with Season of Mist brings the band’s first milestone, allowing VESTIGE to share their journey in the form of their debut album, Janis. Poised for release in late 2024, the album is a culmination of their collective efforts and a statement of the band’s arrival in the heavy music scene. Weaving through atmospheric shoegaze textures, melodic landscapes and intense, tormented moments that reflects the emotional spectrum of the human experience, the band established a foothold into the genre of modern metal.
Beyond the studio, VESTIGE is gearing up for a series of live performance in 2024, setting the stage for an introspective musical experience that brings raw and authentic energy. A cathartic release that pulls in the listener into the emotional depths the band has to bring.
Line-up
Théodore Rondeau – Vocals, Guitar
Pierre-André Krauzer – Bass
Quentin Regnault – Drums
Thomas Petit – Guitar
Recording Studio
Théodore’s Home Studio, Quentin’s Home Studio (For Drums), Pierre-André Krauzer’s Home Studio (For Bass)
Production Credits
Mixed by Geoffrey Bonnifet at his Home Studio
Mastered by Acle Khaney at 4D Sounds, Oxfordshire, UK
Biography
Sébastien Gamez
More information at https://linktr.ee/vestigemusic
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