New journey for Aldaaron.
Shortly after their twentieth birthday, the duo formed by Ioldar (all instruments/vocals, Ordalie) and Voldr (lead guitar) collaborate with Ordre du Givre Records and Paragon Records for the release of their fourth album, Par-delà les cimes.
Bass was recorded by Rich Gray (Aeon Zen, Annihilator…).
The album opens with the grandiose Antediluvian prophecies which quickly takes on a visceral darkness, carrying dissonance, icy tones and savage howls with it. Melodies mingle with the waves of fury, but there are also a few softer passages that allow us to catch our breath before resuming our frantic race with the majestic sound until Frozen shadows of the exalted sun, where the pace slows. The atmosphere becomes much foggier, and will remain so even as the drums ignite with a double kick, then a blast as they join fiercer vocal parts, but we can easily identify the various accelerations that expose us to a few choirs and clean parts that temper the rage, as can be seen on the introduction to Chants d’hiver et de solitude. The floating moment at the beginning makes the arrival of the saturation even more violent, allowing this natural contrast to reinforce the melancholy that fully engulfs us when the rhythm welcomes the airy leads, making the performance very intense right to the end. Under the icy sky, memories fade away will be the last track of this sonic adventure, starting with a breath of fresh air and then once again adopting the unleashed Black Metal’s power, whether in the devastating instrumental or the hellish howls, but the band can also count on the voice of Eric Castiglia (Osculant Brutality) to bring a more ethereal touch to its heavy atmosphere before ending between brutality and Oleg Bezuglov’s mournful violin.
Always faithful to its Pagan roots, Aldaaron once again develops its unique icy atmosphere, which never fails to mesmerize us at every turn. Par-delà les cimes is a breathtaking album that transports us to the slopes of the Alps in no time at all.
95/100
A few questions to Ioldar, creator and mastermind of the project Aldaaron, for the release of his fifth album, Par-delà les cimes.
Hello, and thank you for your time! Without using the label “Black Metal”, how would you describe the band Aldaaron?
Ioldar (all instruments/vocals): Hello and thank you! Epic, melancholic and intense music, inspired by the majestic, desolate landscapes of the mountains. An expression of isolation, contemplation and power, rooted in a romantic and austere vision of nature.
I’ve been familiar with the name Aldaaron for several years now, but where does it come from? How do you personally relate it to the band’s music after so many years?
Ioldar: Aldaron is a character from Tolkien‘s Silmarillion, the Lord of the Trees among the Valar. I added an “a” to the original name, as it was already used by another band. The name evokes both a deep connection with nature and a warlike, epic aspect, which fits perfectly with the band’s musical universe.
The band’s fifth album, Par-delà les cimes, is about to be released. How do you feel about it? Have you had any feedback on it yet?
Ioldar: It’s always a mixture of excitement and anticipation before a release. I’m proud of the result and can’t wait for the album to live on through those who listen to it. Initial feedback has been extremely positive, which is encouraging.
How would you sum up I in three words?
Ioldar: Epic, contemplative, melancholy.
How did the creative process happen for Par-delà les cimes? As the main composer, did you notice any differences with the creation of previous albums?
Ioldar: The album was composed in a few months, in a more instinctive and spontaneous process than before. I enjoyed working quickly, capturing the raw emotion of each track. Compared to previous albums, I may have explored more progressive structures and given more prominence to Voldr’s guitar solos.
The band draws its inspiration from the French Alps. What is it about this region that speaks to you? How do you translate these influences into your music?
Ioldar: The mountains are a refuge, a virgin territory where man is insignificant in the face of natural forces. This grandeur and ruggedness is reflected in the music through sharp riffs, chilling atmospheres and dramatic intensity.
On Par-delà les cimes, three of the four tracks have English titles, and only one has a French name. Why did you make this choice, when the opposite was true of previous releases?
Ioldar: The choice of language is made instinctively, according to what feels most natural for each track. There are no fixed rules, and I let inspiration guide the choice.
Although – as I mentioned earlier – you are Aldaaron‘s main composer, Voldr is still involved on the guitars. How does your creative alchemy work? You also talk about his “outside perspective”. How does this play into his creation of leads?
Ioldar: Voldr is mainly involved in the solos and brings a valuable outside perspective. When you’re immersed in the composition of an entire album, you can lose your objectivity. His feedback allows us to refine certain parts and add a different touch, without altering the essence of the project.
I know it’s a tough question, but do you have a favorite track on this album? Or the one that seemed the most natural to compose?
Ioldar: It’s hard to answer, because each track has its own interest. But perhaps the 2nd track Frozen shadows of the exalted sun, because it sums up the general atmosphere of the album.
Par-delà les cimes is released in collaboration with Ordre du Givre Records and Paragon Records, how is the collaboration with them?
Ioldar: Paragon Records is a long-standing partner with whom we’ve always had a good relationship. Ordre du Givre Records is my own label, which allows me to retain total control over certain aspects of production and distribution.
I’ve only found a few live mentions for Aldaaron, dating back according to setlist.fm to 2009 and 2011, have there been any others? Why did you stop performing live, and do you ever plan to return to perform your songs?
Ioldar: We’ve played around thirty concerts, some of them alongside bands like Mayhem and Nargaroth. But the logistical constraints and energy required to organize concerts no longer correspond to my current vision of the project. Aldaaron is first and foremost a creative project. A resumption of concerts is not out of the question, but it’s not a priority.
What are Aldaaron‘s next projects?
Ioldar: I’ll be managing the promotion of the album over the next 2 months, then switching to the next album for my other project, Ordalie.
Are there any musicians or artists you’d like to collaborate with in the future?
Ioldar: I don’t have any specific ideas on the subject. My approach is very personal and solitary, so a collaboration would have to have a strong artistic sense to be considered.
Do you think you’ve improved as a musician and composer with this album?
Ioldar: Over time, you gain technical mastery and efficiency in the creative process. But the most important thing for me is to maintain an instinctive and sincere approach.
Aldaaron has been active since 2004 (or 2002, if we take into account the existence of Empires de Glace), and in twenty years, have you noticed any evolution or changes in the French Black Metal landscape? Who do you think will be the bands to watch in France in 2025?
Ioldar: I’m pretty detached from the current scene and don’t necessarily keep up with new bands. There have always been some excellent bands in France, but I’m more focused on my own musical universe than on what’s going on elsewhere.
What bands do you dream of playing with? I’ll let you imagine your dream date with Aldaaron opening, and three other bands for the release of Par-delà les cimes.
Ioldar: Maybe Windir, Immortal and Dissection, but these are bands that no longer exist, or at least not in their original form. In fact, I don’t really project myself into the idea of concerts.
That was my last question, so thank you for your time, and the last words are yours!
Ioldar: Thank you for your interest in Aldaaron. Par-delà les cimes is an invitation to elevation, contemplation and immersion in a universe where nature reigns supreme.