Netra - Mélancolie Urbaine (2010)

Someone has probably already kicked off a review of this album saying something similar to what I'm about to say, but, what the hell, I'm going to say it regardless.

So, have you ever wondered what Norway's Ulver might have sounded like had they not fully delved into the world of electronic music after, 'Themes From William Blake's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell' and had brought some of the bands initial black metal influences along with them for the ride that was, 'Perdition City?' As it turns out, Quimper, Brittany, France solo project, Netra may have a partial answer for you.

Netra is a trip hop band with black metal influences...

...now, wait just a moment.

Does that make sense?

What time is it? Where am I? What's with that guy on the corner over there staring at me?

And what the fuck is trip hop anyway?

Well, Wikipedia says, "Trip hop is a music genre consisting of downtempo electronica fused with hip-hop beats until neither genre is recognizable."

To my ears Netra sounds like a fair mix between Ulver's classic, 'Perdition City' release and perhaps a band like Massive Attack plus with the seamless blending of heavy doomy raw sounding black metal riffs. And here's the thing that's gonna get ya! It actually works, and it works well!

Each song tends to carry a depressive and mysterious tone to it and it sort of offers up the feeling of traveling through a large well lit city on a rainy night, and although a rare experience for me I can't help but bring up this comparison. It's like you're surrounded by something big, bold and possibly beautiful, but you ache inside, you're tired, fed up with life, you hate your boss, your girlfriends a bitch and you just want to go home, rest and forget the world ever existed. This is the feeling this album gives me.

It's impressive the way a lot of the songs start with very typical electronic trip hop elements, programmed percussion, samples, cleanly sung vocals, but then suddenly things shift dramatically towards a funeral doom/black metal sound with raspy screaming vocals, ominous bass guitar, occasional blasting on the drums, but then again sometimes everything is blended perfectly too.

It's hard for me to pick a favorite from this release as its all quite diverse and engaging, but the first song, 'City Lights' is exceptional and I just adore the way this nameless creator of interesting music grabs two genres that have absolutely no relation and have no business being together and makes it work. 'Through the Fear' is another standout and in my opinion the catchiest song on, 'Mélancolie Urbaine,' while, 'Outside...Maybe' is Netra at its finest once again.

I must point out, however, that Netra is a trip hop band first, and a black metal band second. Meaning, if you have issues with electronic music this release might not hit home with you instantly or if even at all. However if you're the sort of black metal listener that appreciates innovative and adventurous music then this might just be the release for you.