It was originally conceived as a solo project, though it would eventually take on the form of a full band as Aegnor (now known as La Sale Famine de Valfunde) and Argoth, with whom Neige played in Peste Noire, joined the fray and released a four-track demo entitled Tristesse hivernale in 2001. This demo was a more straightforward black metal affair, much different from what would happen next. After that released, Alcest returned to a one-member format, with Neige moving away from the metal overtones of the three-piece and embracing a more atmospheric approach to his work.
The 2005 EP release, Le Secret, was more in tune with the project’s ultimate goal, which was to put to ear, as it were, Neige’s fascination with an “otherworld”—of sorts—that had held a fascination for him beginning in his childhood. In 2007, Neige released the first full-length Alcest recording, Souvenirs d'un autre monde, which was released on Prophecy Productions, and was a critical success. Écailles de lune, released in 2010, continues in the otherwordly vein, evoking images of an underwater realm.
The band’s third album, Les Voyages de l'âme, was released on January 6, 2012.
Alcest’s fourth effort entitled Shelter was released on January 17, 2014 via Prophecy Productions. It features Birgir Jón Birgisson as producer, Amiina for the string sections and a guest appearance by Neil Halstead. This album is completely different to any previous Alcest works, and can be described as shoegaze/dream pop.
In 2016 with Kodama, they’re back with their heavier sound, while taking on a concept about “the confrontation of the natural world and the human world”.
2019 brings Spritual Instinct, released this time by Nuclear Blast Records. As Neige said, “It is a very cathartic record—something needed to get out of me. It’s darker than usual, and heavier.”
ᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀs
Neige (Stéphane Paut) — vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards (2000–present), drums (2000–2009)Winterhalter (Jean Deflandre) — drums (2009–present)Zero (Pierre Corson) — guitars, backing vocals (2010–present; live only) Indria Saray — bass (2010–present; live only)
ᴍᴀᴊᴏʀ ʀᴇʟᴇᴀsᴇs
Tristesse hivernale (demo EP, 2001, Drakkar Productions)Le Secret (EP, 2005, Drakkar Productions)Souvenirs d'un autre monde (LP, 2007, Prophecy Productions)Écailles de lune (LP, 2010, Prophecy Productions)Les Voyages de l'âme (LP, 2012, Prophecy Productions)Shelter (LP, 2014, Prophecy Productions)Kodama (LP, 2016, Prophecy Productions)Spiritual Instinct (LP, 2019, Nuclear Blast)
Faiseurs de mondes
Alcest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sont des miroirs pénétrants
Qui façonnent le monde
Par leurs reflets, l'embellissant.
L'Orée des bois au loin
Devient un temple mouvant, irisé,
Célébrant la naissance du printemps.
Et ces montagnes immenses,
Au cessus de nos têtes,
tournoyants.
Cette réalité qui nous entoure
Est celle que tu as choisie
Et tes rêves habillent notre sphère
D'un tableau idéal qui se déploie
A la lueur de nos regards,
Au son de ta voix.
The lyrics of Alcest's song "Faiseurs de mondes" ("World Makers") express the power of perception and imagination in shaping our reality. The opening lines describe the singer's eyes as ageless mirrors that penetrate the world and give it shape. Through their reflections, the world is beautified and transformed, turning the distant forest into a moving, iridescent temple that celebrates the birth of spring. The towering mountains aspire to reach the sky and join the swirling vortex above our heads. The imagery evokes a sense of wonder and enchantment, hinting at the limitless potential of the human mind to shape and transform the world around us.
The second verse reinforces this theme by suggesting that the reality we experience is the one we choose. The singer's dreams and visions dress up our world in an ideal tableau, unfolding in the light of our gaze and the sound of their voice. The song suggests that we have the power to create our own reality through the way we perceive and imagine the world, and that this reality can be a source of beauty and inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Tes yeux sans âge
Your ageless eyes
Sont des miroirs pénétrants
Are penetrating mirrors
Qui façonnent le monde
That shape the world
Par leurs reflets, l'embellissant.
By reflecting on it, making it more beautiful.
L'orée des bois au loin
The distant edge of the woods
Devient un temple mouvant, irisé,
Becomes a moving, iridescent temple
Célébrant la naissance du printemps.
Celebrating the birth of spring.
Et ces montagnes immenses,
And these immense mountains
Aspirent à rejoindre les cieux
Aspire to reach the skies
Au cessus de nos têtes, tournoyants.
Above our heads, swirling.
Cette réalité qui nous entoure
This reality that surrounds us
Est celle que tu as choisie
Is the one you have chosen
Et tes rêves habillent notre sphère
And your dreams clothe our sphere
D'un tableau idéal qui se déploie
With an ideal tableau that unfolds
A la lueur de nos regards,
In the light of our gazes
Au son de ta voix.
To the sound of your voice.
Contributed by Mateo D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
I G SAD
Makers of the worlds
Your ageless eyes
Are penetrating mirrors,
Shaping and beautifying the world
By their reflection.
The edge of the woods, far away
Becomes a moving temple, iridescent,
Celebrating the birth of spring. And these immense mountains,
Wanting to join the heavens,
Whirling
Above out heads. This reality around us,
Is the one you have chosen
And your dreams cover our sphere
With an ideal painting,
Unfolding in the light of your eyes,
At the sound of your voice.
Jared
Alcest is one of, if not the only band, that has ever made me cry. Praise be to Neige for his mixture of darkness and beauty.
Mark Mark Tanner
6:15 is the most graceful use of blast beats I've ever heard. Never thought I'd use that adjective for blast beats, but shows what good songwriting and arranging can achieve.
Rudolf M.
4:22 - I swear this is otherworldly. Pure bliss.
Cheximus
I prefer the bit right before it, the clean electric guitar.
Ivan Ivan
I know, this bands always takes me through other dimensions
Ivan Ivan
I can't believe it!
HipHopHippo
This is probably the strongest track on an album of really strong tracks.
CSound
Absolutely fantastic song !!! And the bridge at 03:54 is pure magic. Bravo !
Matt M
Even though I don't understand a word of French, the music alone is so powerful and mesmerizing. I'm getting this album in the mail next week and it will be a great day when it arrives. Brilliant songwriting. This is why I love Metal, you don't need to understand the lyrics to completely fall in love with the music. Pure magic.
O S
Totally agree with you.