While accusations of Jesus Lizard worship may be rightly leveled against the trio, we’re not talking about blatant plagiarism here. Where The Jesus Lizard was sinister and slithery, High Priests are violent and bludgeoning.

They were jittery, raw, abrasive, awkward and difficult despite the sublime melodies and hooks buried under all the squall. Their influence reverberated throughout the underground rock landscape, informing a host of adventurous, noisy, arty not-quite-metal/not-quite-indie bands. Now, two decades after their last record, they appear to be picking up right where they left off.

Au Champ Des Morts may have not succeeded in pushing black metal into entirely uncharted territory, but they’ve produced a unique and truly majestic post-black metal record.

This is a mesmerizing record, at once familiar and strange — a worthy entry in the cannon of innovative guitar rock.

The technicality and vision presented on this début make it eminently worth your time. – By Russell Emerson Hall

Recommended if you like being crushed by a filthy brick. – By Russell Emerson Hall

Sure, it’s complex, fist-pumping, spit-in-the-eye music, but the brilliant control of dynamics and arrangement expose lots of other layers for exploration and appreciation. – By Russell Emerson Hall

This first record doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, but it certainly delivers some immensely satisfying heaviness. Recommended. – By Russell Emerson Hall

This is an incredibly dark record that engulfs and envelops, but there’s also beauty and comfort under the brutality and suffocation. Catharsis indeed. Highly recommended. – By Russell Emerson Hall

With the exception of a few tracks, I guess my fears were justified. Not recommended. – By Russell Emerson Hall