In 1996 Crépuscule released their debuut CD entitled Les Lunes Se Lèvent that contains a blend of rock and French 'chansons', followed by the 'unplugged' CD Signe De Vie with old and new songs. And now we can enjoy the new album L’Hymne A La Vie, first part of a musical project, the next album will be released within 3 years.
Despite the hints to the music of Ange in this intro, only the powerful, expressive and sometimes theatrical vocals reminds me of early Ange, like in the songs Prologue RE and L’Armada. But in general the 19 melodic songs (in five parts between 3 and 21 minutes) are very tastefully arranged with the focus on the elements variety and creativity, what a wonderful and often compelling music this is: a slow rhythm with howling guitar runs (in the vein of Steve Rothery) and lush organ, followed by a tight rhythm with propulsive guitar riffs in Après Un Pas, harpsichord-like flights and slide-guitar in the dreamy L’Arbre Del Arrêt, a captivating contrast between soaring keyboards with theatricals vocals and a compelling rhythm with howling guitar runs in Prologue RE, swinging neo-prog with 'slap' bas work and a delicate synthesizer solo in La Créature, expressive vocals, beautiful play on acoustic – and electric guitar and a majestic grand finale with a church organ sound and guitar in the moving Moeurs, an electronic oriented atmosphere with wonderful keyboard work in Prologue EL and varied sounds and a final part with a bombastich church organ sound in Mort De L’Irréel.
For me "never a dull moment" on this almost 70 minutes long CD, what a captivating prog/Art-rock, highly recommended to those who are up to French vocals!
By the way, the packaging is in DVD format and contains a huge booklet with lyrics in French and German and I have read that Crépuscule is planning to tour with a wonderful lightshow, video clips and masks, check out this amazing German band!

progwalhalla

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