Country: France
Genre: Experimental
Full length; Amen
Format: Vinyl. compact disc, digital (see Bandcamp link for more information)
Label: Metal Blade
Release date: September 19, 2025
For almost twenty years, Gautier Serre has been getting under people’s skin with a band he founded called Igorrr. As a multi-instrumentalist and producer, he seems to understand that each album Igorrr released since 2008, most of all their latest album “Amen,” demands varying innovation and the right production to make every nuance shine.
Since 2008’s “Moisissure,” Igorrr's work has been a form of abstract art as surreal as the art adorning the album covers. This isn’t meant to scare or unnerve as much as it’s meant to reveal a certain dark beauty that’s deeply buried beneath the surface. To perceive it you should dive into “Amen” and search it extensively, navigating the darkness surrounding you to find it struggling to reach the surface. Writers for Rock Hard and Metal Hammer from Germany, and artists like Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, have sought it and since expressed admiration for Igorrr’s blend of metal, electronica, and baroque.
“Amen” has been described as cinematic, challenging, and an avant-garde incarnation of Mr. Bungle (an experimental metal band fronted by Mike Patton of Faith No More). Any band capable of mixing easy listening from the 1920s and 30s with electronic and industrial sounds as on “Moisissure,” or metal, grindcore, electronica, Italian folk and classical as on “Nostril,” or opera, black metal, and electronica as on “Hallelujah,” possesses enough imagination to shatter any remaining standards of what works.
As their albums keep coming and their music evolves with their growing expertise and skills, their compositions progressively grew more chaotic and unhinged, incorporating a growing array of sounds and genres into each piece. The more tumultuous they seemed, the more structured they were becoming. On “Amen” the transformations became more distinct, and the musicianship, particularly the percussion programming was anchoring everything with greater cohesion.
The imagery employed in the promotional videos made for “Amen” propel their artistry into places even more fantastical. These videos range from surreal and dreamlike to cinematic and theatrical, providing windows into Igorrr's visions and offering deeper insight into what inspired the band. Their video for “Daemoni,” synchronizing disturbing images and electronic sounds, shows ho their writing and video making has evolved through years of practice translating their thoughts into song and visuals.
Other noteworthy videos are “ADHD” with its retro 50s sci-fi/horror aesthetic, and “Blastbeat Falafel,” which experimenting with prog, orchestra and Mideastern folk. There’s more diversity and creativity to explore here; “Limbo,” “Ancient Sun,” “Pure Disproportionate Black and White Nihilism” and “Étude n°120” offer a unique glimpse into Igorrr’s imaginative scope, innovative approaches, songwriting, and technical proficiency. Keep an eye out for guest appearances by Trey Spruance of Mr. Bungle, Scott Ian of Anthrax, and Mike Leon of CKY. –Dave Wolff
Lineup:
Gautier Serre: Machines
JB Le Bail: Vocals
Marthe Alexandre: Vocals
Remi SerafinoL Drums
Martyn Clément: Guitars
Track list:
1. Daemoni
2. Headbutt
3. Limbo
4. Blastbeat Falafel
5. ADHD
6. 2020
7. Mustard Mucous
8. Infestis
9. Ancient Sun
10. Pure Disproportionate Black and White Nihilism
11. Étude n°120
12. Silence
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