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I have always enjoyed the work of this French duo known as Celestia. It was therefore a pleasant surprise to find out that they had a new album out. Celestia are perhaps not the most prolific act, and they don't release long albums either, still not one second is useless or wasted.

Archaenae Perfectii is simply a great black metal release, with the right amount of rawness, melody and melancholy. This band is able to vary their pace and mood, which makes them only a more interesting act. Add to this some decipherable rasps (if you speak French that is), cold distorted guitar work, kicking and punchy rhythmic section and a harmonious organic instrument, to get a full spectrum of their art. Yes, you've guessed right, Celestia use classical/acoustic guitars in the song structure, to my greatest pleasure, sometimes as riffs, but mostly as leads or arpeggios. On some occasions they are accompanied by water flows or haunting keyboards. Those delicacies always bring the black metal arts to a higher state of aesthetic, besides being quite appropriate to the genre as such. Many compositions are short 3-4 minutes tracks, but a couple of tracks are long-lasting pleasures.

Archaenae Perfectii presents Celestia in top shape with only good or great compositions that will more than satisfy the true fans.