Ataraxie: Résignés (2019)

I talked about slam the other day, so now it is time to talk about one of my other favorite subgenres: funeral doom metal.  It seems to be a little easier to find funeral doom metal bands these days than it is to find slam death metal.  A lot of that has to do with the fact that generally bands like Ahab, Evoken and Bell Witch have been embraced by the metal press whereas most slam bands are shunned.  That is not necessarily surprising as slam death is often violent and can oftentimes be misogynistic whereas funeral doom is neither of those things and is often thoughtful and powerful.  I first got into funeral doom through nautical-themed German band Ahab and things kind of sprouted from there.  One of my favorite albums is the Lovecraftian horror-drenched sole release by Catacombs and I am always on the lookout for something similar.

That brings us to the French band Ataraxie, who I am hearing for the first time despite the band having been around for nearly 20 years now.  Ataraxie's particular brand of funeral doom metal is often complemented by influences from early death/doom metal bands like Paradise Lost or Morgion.  It is at times atmospheric and at others rumbles along like an oncoming thunderstorm.  The songs are lengthy, as is the album, with just four songs and clocking in at nearly and hour and a half in length.  But each song has several rather distinct sections that keeps things moving and interesting.  The album is never boring despite its length. 

The most interesting track on the album, and a bit of a microcosm for the album as a whole is the stunning title track.  Early on in the song, Ataraxie embarks on a crushing riff that would make death/doom pioneers like Asphyx envious, complete with sepulchral croaking vocals.  They then follow that up with a sweeping melodic section which cleanses the palate just enough to lead into ominous thundering drums and riffs leading into an absolutely chaotic climax before everything crumbles back into the void.  It is at once beautiful and devastating.  And the band picks up the pieces just to do it all over again on the next track.

Ataraxie's album is a glimpse into what is so compelling about funeral doom metal.  It is cold and harsh and absolutely bleak, but at times a strange melody shines through and there is something truly breathtaking about it.  This is a terrific example of the genre done right.  Ataraxie should be held up with the leaders in the genre and it is a shame that they are so unknown at this time.