Alcest is a post-black metal band formed in Bagnols Sur Cèze, Languedoc-Roussillon, France in 2000. Formed by French multi-instrumentalist Neige (who has also worked with Amesoeurs, Mortifera, Lantlôs, Peste Noire, and more). Alcest was originally conceived as a solo project, though it would eventually take on the form of a full band as Hegnor (also of Peste Noire) and Arguth joined the fray and released a four-track demo entitled Tristesse Hivernale in 2001. This demo was a more straightforward heavy/black metal affair, much different from what would happen next. ...show more

Alcest is a post-black metal band formed in Bagnols Sur Cèze, Languedoc-Roussillon, France in 2000. Formed by French multi-instrumentalist Neige (who has also worked with Amesoeurs, Mortifera, Lantlôs, Peste Noire, and more). Alcest was originally conceived as a solo project, though it would eventually take on the form of a full band as Hegnor (also of Peste Noire) and Arguth joined the fray and released a four-track demo entitled Tristesse Hivernale in 2001. This demo was a more straightforward heavy/black metal affair, much different from what would happen next.

After that released, Alcest returned to a one-member format, with Neige moving away from the metal overtones of the three-piece and embracing a more atmospheric approach to his work. The 2005 EP release, Le Secret, was more in tune with the project`s ultimate goal, which was to put to ear, as it were, Neige`s fascination with an "otherworld" -- of sorts -- that had held a fascination for him beginning in his childhood. In 2007, Neige released the first full-length Alcest recording, Souvenirs D`un Autre Monde (Memories of Another World, for those keeping up in English), which was released on Prophecy Productions, and was a critical success. 2007 also saw a split-EP release with Angmar.

Écailles de Lune (Scales of the Moon), released in 2010, continues in the otherwordly vein, evoking images of an underwater realm. Discography: Tristesse Hivernale - Demo [2001] Le secret - EP [2005] Souvenirs d'un autre monde - LP [2007] Aux Funérailles Du Monde/Tristesse Hivernale - Reissue/Split with Angmar [2007] Les Discrets / Alcest - Split [2009] Écailles de Lune - LP [2010] Le Secret - Reissue/LP [2011] Les Voyages de l'Âme - LP [2012]. ...show less