BOISSON DIVINE - La Halha
Folk metal is usually a genre where heavy music meets traditional sounds from the medieval age. Occasionally you’ll come across artists doing the same, just by adding Roman or Etruscan influences. Boisson Divine walk yet another path on their third album La Halha. Although the band is from France, as you can guess from their name, the six musicians come more specifically from the region Occitanie which border on Spain, Andorra and the Mediterranean Sea. The band’s lyrics are in Occitan, a language that has certain similarities to Catalan.
As is customary for folk metal bands, modern and traditional instruments are used together. Next to guitar, bass and drums, you’ll also hear bohas, that resemble Scottish bagpipes, as well as accordion, flutes and a hurdy-gurdy. The mix is really listenable, as the songs are brimming with energy. Band leader Baptiste Labenne has a clear yet firm voice that leaves a lasting impression. Apart from a few quieter moments, the band is putting the pedal to the metal, playing with a lot of speed and gusto. Despite the prevailing heaviness, the music never sounds overly brutal and therefore shouldn’t scare away the faint of heart. Apart from the language, Boisson Divine’s modus operandi reminds me of the recently defunct Falconer who also combined heavy metal with regional folklore. Two tracks on La Halha are even about ten minutes long, but the high amount of pace changes and ideas make sure that you won’t be bored.
Boisson Divine released already album in 2013 and 2016, although I only heard of them now. There are few bands that put so many ideas into their songs with such a great sense for harmonies. The music is very catchy and will stay with you quickly enough. I can imagine that three beers into a live set, the audience will song and dance along to these merry tunes. Boisson Divine are already among the big ones of the international folk metal scene.