As one might have guessed Alcest is hardly a typical black metal band. There are strong influences from post rock here, especially in the atmosphere and song structure. This is music that is meant to put the listener at ease through the medium of heavy music.
Much of this album is played in a major key. While still using a lot of the black metal "wall of sound" approach to riffs the overall effect is much different. Instead of feelings of grimness and frostbitten landscapes were greeted with what sounds like a breezy summer afternoon.
The vocals also are predominantly clean. They have an ethereal, semi chanted tone to them that fits the nostalgic summer vibe perfectly. There are shrieks in here as well, but they are used sparingly - mostly as an exclamation to a song rather than the main driving force.
There is one song on here that deserves special mention: Faiseurs de mondes. This song is quite possibly the best song the group has ever written. It is the only song on the album where the band really lets loose and lets the black metal come to the forefront. While the rest of the album is highly enjoyable, this brief moment where the band lets loose and really shows the listener what they are capable of is a true highlight.
Les Voyages De L'Ame could very well be my favorite Alcest record. The combination of peace mixed with obvious black metal leanings works so well here. The band knows what they are at this point and they have truly embraced it. I for one am happy that they decided to do so.
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