Ataraxie – Le Décline

Pegah

Le Déclin (meaning The Fall) is the sixth full-length album by the French Funeral Doom Metal band Ataraxie. However, its style isn’t confined to Doom Metal’s subgenres, as some tracks can be categorized as Progressive Death Metal. The first time I listened to Ataraxie, I was thrilled by the sudden changes in rhythms—shifting from calm, low-tempo, Doom-like rhythms to high-speed, Death-like blasts. Specifically, as a Funeral Doom Metal fan, you’ll be surprised by how, in the blink of an eye, they pull you out of the dreary, depressive atmosphere and thrust you into the cruel world, forcing you to face reality.

The band’s name seemed so catchy, yet I had no idea what it meant. When I discovered its definition, I was astonished—it wasn’t as gloomy as I had expected! The term “Ataraxis” dates back to Ancient Greek philosophy, meaning the absence of mental stress, which leads to eternal happiness. This concept perfectly complements the scene on the album cover: a view of mountains with a tranquil lake, symbolizing permanence, stability, and a life free from disturbance. While this is the ultimate goal of humankind, reality is far from such an ideal landscape. Ataraxie narrates today’s world through lyrical themes ranging from the destruction of humanity to natural disasters and the devaluation of culture.

At first glance, seeing the length of each track might make you think, “Oh! Another typical boring album!” But don’t judge a book by its cover—despite the lengthy tracks, you won’t find yourself bored. The album opens with Le Déclin, an ideal beginning, featuring a long intro that gently immerses you in the journey through the album. The variation in vocals—from monologues to dialogues, and from screams to cinematic lyrics—adds a dramatic touch that feels almost like performance art. In “Vomisseurs de Vide” (Vomiting the Void), the rhythm shifts, the music thickens, and as it progresses, you’ll hear blast beats at a faster pace, but everything falls perfectly into place.

“Glory of Ignominy” is my favorite track on the album, particularly for the sporadic, haunting screams. To me, the song seems to lament the ignorance of humankind and the dehumanization that follows. Finally, “The Collapse” is a perfect closer, doing justice to the entire album. The song is heavy yet provocative, and with its higher tempo, it strives to open our eyes to the filthy reality of a world that is swallowing us—though we can no longer see or hear it, as we are being manipulated.

To sum up, Le Déclin narrates the fall of humanity. Listening to Ataraxie feels like someone is taking your hand and showing you the harsh truths of the real world. The lyrics aren’t restricted to introspective feelings or personal experiences; they encompass what we all witness today, making it easy to empathize with each track. I recommend this album not only to Funeral Doom fans but also to Death Metal enthusiasts. If you enjoy listening to Doom:VS or Inborn Suffering, give Ataraxie a chance.

Label: Ardua Music/Weird Truth Productions

Release date: 25 October, 2024

Website: https://www.facebook.com/ataraxiedoom/

Country: France

Score: Another crazy 4.5/5.0