Artist: Acyl
Title: The Angel’s Sin
Type: EP
Label: self-released

Ever heard of bendirs, karkabous, guesba or gumbri? All these instruments feature on this four track EP from the French-based, Arabic-influenced Acyl. Exotic is the flavour of this work. The guesba – I presume it is that, as it’s a type of flute – creeps snake-charmingly through the Death Metal framework and mysterious vocals of the first track “The Evil’s Depths”. Yes, there’s a mix of styles and cultures here. Acyl describe themselves as an ethnic, progressive and experimental group. There are no gimmicks here. “The Angel’s Sin” is a seriously atmospheric and compellingly forceful work in which every movement is concise and carefully conceived. From the first second to the last we are transported to a deep and accessible world, with which at no stage I lost connection.

A lot happens during the course of its 23 minutes, but the underscore is an infectious heavy beat. A strange drum sound, which I guess is the bendir, starts off “The Evil’s Depths”. The beat is not just heavy but highly melodic. The guesba sneaks in while the vocalist’s deep and dark wailing style adds further spice. The storm builds up to a blood-curdling scream from the vocalist. It’s fast, mobile and utterly captivating. “The Angel’s Sin Chapter 01: The Birth of an Idea” is quieter. It starts sludgily but the drum taps out a beat like calming waters. The rhythm again is hypnotic, the atmosphere is deep and the Death growls, when they come, are hypnotic. The melodic heaviness is worked for us to headbang. Movement is the key to this whether it’s powerful onslaughts or gently swaying rhythms. “The Angel’s Sin Chapter 02: The Alienation of Authenticity” also builds up nicely. Growls are more in evidence, the rhythm is sinister and the screams are impressive. “Obduracy” has a more North African flavour again. It’s heavy and mid-paced but there’s an Arabic chant and a spoken section to a melodic Death Metal backing. It’s highly melodic and completely entrancing.

“The Angel’s Sin” completely knocked me out. The title is an oxymoron, a pair of opposites, and so is the music. It’s dark and light, sinister and refined, traditional and modern. Most importantly, the structures, creativity and timing are perfect. It’s impossible not to be carried away in it. I felt like a child in a sweet shop. A couple of years ago, my top album of the year was “Hilal” by Arkan, another North African French band. Acyl have connections with Arkan. Slightly less heavy, “The Angel’s Sin” is of similar quality to “Hilal” – utterly captivating, musically varied and coherent and exotic. Will a label come forward to sign Acyl, please? We need to hear more. This is absolutely brilliant and if I hear anything more creative and full of impact this year, I’ll be amazed.

http://www.acylband.com
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