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Cénotaphe are one of those fairly newcomers to the French black metal scene, pumping some new energy into it after a multiyear slump. Their 2019 EP, Empyrée, was quite promising and I am glad to report that this first full-length album shows that the band can deliver the goods. Monte Verità is very much in the same vein as the EP with some blasting yet melodic and atmospheric black metal that is as fist-pumping as it is haunting and vicious. "De mon promontoire astral" has that grandiose epic vibe that just oozes out of the speakers with very powerful chants throughout. The vocals, sung in French, are largely tortured and, well, quite sick, and are a major highlight on the album. If I had to pick, I'd still go with Empyrée, but the two releases are so close in quality that it's just not fair having to choose between the two. Cénotaphe are definitely one of those new French black metal bands worth checking out.