Milanku, the Quebec representation on the world's post-metal scene, is around for over 15 years now. Their ever-growing discography has recently been expanded by a new album called À l'aube.
The band "strikes with its brutal character, both nostalgic and melancholy" as they describe their music on their Bandcamp page. And it is very true: while they come from the post-hardcore environment, it is not that obvious on the new album: there's more strictly melancholic, post-rock-like compositions that should appeal to those who seek this feeling of ethereal sadness in the heavy, guitar music. However, this doesn't mean that the post-hardcore elements are completely forgotten, quite the opposite in fact, they still appear in the compositions. They do so from time to time, making the effect even more striking: when you hear the desperate screams, you know that this is an important, monumental moment and you should pay attention (as it is in À l'aube; prêchant la mauvaise nouvelle).
This track, the title of which translates to "At dawn; preaching the bad news", is a good example of how poignant the shouted lyrics are ("On each of us/ The noose is tightening/ The very essence/ Of great sadness") and how well they cooperate with the pure guitar melancholia (and with the vocals in À l'aube; nous sommes disparus provided by the Swedish jazz singer, Erika Angell).
À l'aube costs 7 EUR (10 CAD).
Check: À l'aube; nous sommes disparus
Country: Quebec, Canada
Genre: melancholic post-hardcore
Label: Folivora Records
