Post-Metal band from Grenoble (FR)
Grenoble, a fertile ground for post metal? Azimut proves it with Dans Les Méandres. A debut album, but by no means not a novice effort. The band’s 6 members have already officiated in various acts of the avant-garde metal spectrum, such as Barús, Maïeutiste, Gliesers, Stories Bones Tell, Synapses and Synematic. Under this moniker, their first gigs saw them share the stage with no less than Hangman’s Chair, Envy and Bossk. A well-deserved place for an ambitious first LP, receptacle to an hour of ardent, cathartic peregrinations, nuanced by atmospheres unheard of in the genre.
"Dans les Méandres"
Emotion as a flag ship is Azimut's major asset to fly above the pack. Their strength lies in deep rooting in the so-called post aesthetic, both in the extreme and the ambient. Delicate post rock influences are naturally present throughout, bringing forth atmospheres akin to Mogwai or Mono. A more surprising, albeit coherent, feature is the integration of many electronic elements that go above and beyond simple keyboard layers. The 9 tracks on Dans Les Méandres offer a constant balance between contained, minimalist phases on the one hand, and explosive, sometimes violent ones on the other. This gives the album a singular dynamic that makes it all the more captivating.
"Our ambiences are very melancholic, but we also wanted to incorporate asphyxiating and crushing sounds borrowed from black and death metal, which is not that common in post metal. We wanted our melodies to be quite clear and catchy in order to emphasize the contrast with heavier elements, and with dark topics that impact us as individuals."
With the particularity of declaiming their sharp diatribes in the language of Molière, Azimut delivers a dark assessment of the world and human activity. Lyrics gravely expose the horrors and pain that pass before our eyes, and that we would rather conceal, while nevertheless holding onto a fragile strand of hope. Spin after spin, Dans Les Méandres reveals itself as an authentic post metal manifesto. Will we find a way out of these sinuous meanders? Such is the question that the listener is left with at the end of the journey.
About Azimut
Thanatophilie, released in September 2023:
Echo Limpide, first single released in May 2022:
The band has a significant live experience, members having toured with acts such as Regarde Les Hommes Tomber, Déluge, The Great Old Ones, Psygnosis, Celeste, Trepalium, Hypno5e and The Algorithm.
Azimut is a member of the Eptagon artist collective, and is in residency at Le Ciel.
Press Coverage
"Azimut take Post-Metal into new, unexpected avenues and shows how new bands are exploring and forming one of the most interesting metal genres today."
Veil of Sound
"A largely familiar trip through post metal, but fuelled by genuine ire."
Metal Hammer
"Azimut est encore tout nouveau dans la scène post-metal atmosphérique mais il sait en appliquer les codes avec habileté tout en y intégrant une qualité émotionnelle des plus intelligentes"
Hard Force
"Their debut LP, a balance of minimalistic phases juxtaposed with explosive moments, promises to be an absorbing experience"
Idioteq
"For fans of Post-metal, experimental etc you will find one of the albums of the year. [...] if possessed of an open mind you may find a lot to love here. I certainly did."
Musipedia Of Metal
Credits
Line Up
Gregory Burille: guitar (ex Gliesers) Matthieu Perrin: guitar (Stories Bones Tell) Jonathan Battandier: drums (ex Gliesers) Jérémy Blanc Tailleur: synths & electronics (Synematic) Franck Marcadon: vocals (Synapses, ex Gliesers) James Leonard: bass (Barús, ex Maïeutiste)
Music and lyrics by Azimut. Recorded, mixed and mastered by: Mémoire Mécanique Studio Studios. Cover artwork : James Leonard & Jérémy Blanc Tailleur. Additional art : Aude W. Bio written by Clément Duboscq.
