French black metal apostates Glorior Belli have been carving out their own left hand path over the years with a fairly unique mix of black metal and southern rock/sludge. As can be expected with any sound that is bred out of disparate styles, the band’s sonic mixology often produced, well, mixed results. That’s unfortunately the case with their latest record – and first for Season of Mist – The Apostates. It’s a shame the overall package falls somewhat flat, as the album puts its best foot forward (side note: what do southern-fried occultists wear?). “Sui Generis” and particularly “Deserters of Eden” are ferocious little numbers, with a fairly cohesive mix of the crunchy riffs, tasty licks, and menacing atmosphere. The final third in the latter track is arguably the record’s best moment, so it’s a shame the album peters out not even a third of the way through.
The record treads water fine enough through the rest of its run-time – “Hangin’ Crepe” and the surprisingly melodic “Runaway Charley” are nice deviations from the norm, but too much of The Apostates fails to exhilarate. Man songwriter Billy Bayou is still just as talented as ever, so even The Apostates‘ lesser moments never drag below fine; nothing on here is a stinker. It just feels fairly rote and, to be frank, not all that nonconformist, given the album’s title. It’s a shame that Glorior Belli’s return isn’t more meaningful, but there’s enough to please Bayou’s fans, and, more importantly, enough to signal the potential for future growth. Here’s hoping the group’s next release harnesses that possibility.
