Last year, influential French “blackgaze” duo ALCEST released their sixth studio album 'Spiritual Instinct' through Nuclear Blast. Warmly-received by press and fans alike, the album scored the band their highest chart position in several countries, including Germany (#12) and Switzerland (#30).
Today, the band presents an alternate version of their haunting track 'Protection', remixed by longtime CHELSEA WOLFE collaborator Ben Chisholm. The song was included alongside two other tracks on the bonus EP that was only available with deluxe versions of 'Spiritual Instinct', but is now being made available digitally for the first time.
Listen to the new track here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFH_sLyLhWg
And purchase it here: https://nblast.de/Alcest-ProtectionBC
On the new single, founder Neige comments: "It was a real pleasure for us to have 'Protection' remixed by the multi-instrumentist and producer Ben Chisholm (known for being the close collaborator of CHELSEA WOLFE). His take on the song left us speechless as he gave it his very own style; a totally new sound, atmosphere and structure. We absolutely loved his approach."
"It was an honor to be invited to reimagine 'Protection'. The melodies and changes are so strong, it was a pleasure to work with. I have the utmost respect for ALCEST, so it's really special to be connected to their legacy, and especially to this fantastic album." - Ben Chisholm
Order 'Spiritual Instinct' on a range of different formats now: https://nblast.de/AlcestSpiritInstinct
Listen to the band's new tracks in the NB New Releases Playlists: http://nblast.de/SpotifyNewReleases / http://nblast.de/AppleMusicNewReleases
'Spiritual Instinct' tracklisting:
01. Les jardins de minuit
02. Protection
03. Sapphire
04. L'Île des morts
05. Le Miroir
06. Spiritual Instinct
Next month, ALCEST will kick off their European tour in support of 'Spiritual Instinct.' The 28 date headline run will be supported by French hardcore punks BIRDS IN ROW and the Icelandic synth-punk trio KÆLAN MIKLA.
ALCEST
'Spiritual Instinct' - European Tour 2020
w/ BIRDS IN ROW, KÆLAN MIKLA
- 06.02. F Audincourt - Le Moloco
- 07.02. F Tourcoing - Le Grand Mix
- 08.02. F Lyon - Ninkasi Kao
- 09.02. D Munich - Technikum
- 10.02. D Cologne - Kantine
- 11.02. D Hamburg - Gruenspan
- 12.02. D Leipzig - Täubchenthal
- 13.02. D Berlin - Heimathafen
- 14.02. D Hanover - Capitol
- 15.02. DK Copenhagen - Pumpehuset
- 16.02. S Stockholm - Fryshuset Klubben
- 18.02. FIN Helsinki - Tavastia
- 19.02. LV Riga - Melnā Piektdiena
- 20.02. PL Warsaw - Klub Proxima
- 21.02. PL Krakow - Klub Kwadrat
- 22.02. A Vienna - Szene
- 23.02. H Budapest - A38
- 24.02. RO Cluj-Napoca - Form Space
- 25.02. RO Bucharest - Quantic Club
- 26.02. BG Sofia - Mixtape 5
- 28.02. SLO Ljubljana - Kino Šiška
- 29.02. I Parma - Campus Industry Music
- 01.03. CH Lucerne - Schüür
- 02.03. D Stuttgart - Im Wizemann
- 03.03. B Brussels - Orangerie @ Botanique
- 04.03. UK London - Heaven
- 05.03. UK Manchester - Gorilla
- 06.03. UK Bristol - The Fleece
- 07.03. F Paris - La Machine du Moulin Rouge
- 29. - 31.05. D Gelsenkirchen - Rock Hard Festival
- 15. - 19.04. NL - Tilburg - Roadburn Festival
- 18. - 21.06. B Dessel - Graspop Metal Meeting
- 19. - 21.06. F Clisson - Hellfest
- 17. - 19.07. RU Usad'ba Otrada - Metal Over Russia
- 05. - 08.08 CZ Jaromer - Brutal Assault
- 06. - 08.08. D Schlotheim - Party.San Open Air
- 11. - 15.08. NO Oslo - Øyafestivalen
- 07.12. PT Lisbon - Under The Doom Festival
- 08.12 ES Madrid - Madrid Is The Dark Festival
More on 'Spiritual Instinct':
- 'Protection' OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn7wvu8R4Wk
- 'Sapphire' OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69fnUZhV8SI
- 'La lumière autant que l'ombre' OFFICIAL ALBUM DOCUMENTARY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3xF4YZeV6k
- Album Trailer #1 - Writing & Recording 'Spiritual Instinct': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZOZzjMMYd8
- Album Trailer #2 - The Themes & The Artwork Of 'Spiritual Instinct': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbrS3S6n8r4
And be sure to check out the 'Metal Talks' episode feat. ALCEST on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX4Woqxy7tpda?si=OUu1y09wQr6jPPwhDcUyQw
Recorded at French Drudenhaus Studio with Benoît Roux and written in bursts both during and after a prolonged period of touring in support of 2016's hugely successful 'Kodama,' the new and very cathartic album is leading the blackgaze pioneers into dark soundscapes. The artwork was once again designed by Førtifem.