
1. Sorrow
2. Hope
3. Fear
4. Awareness
5. Resistance
6. Escape
7. Deliverance
Year: 2008
Label: B-Smile Records
A few days ago I received an ablum by The Black Noodle Project entitled
„Eleonore”. To tell you the truth, this was the first time I’ve listened
to that French band, but after all I’ve heard on „Eleonore”, I think
that I will definately have a closer look on their previous releases.
„Eleonore” is a concept album based on a novel by Jeremie Girma, band’s
guitarist. This short story is about an orphan girl by the name of
Eleonore who sets up on a quest to a faraway land with a magic book as
her guide. (this novel is in pdf format on th album, so I recommend it
to all of you who got liking to the story itself). Eleonore’s quest is
not an easy one, it’s full of dangers and music included on this CD is
an interestind depiction of her adventures and feelings on her way to
Dreamland.
The album is opened by „Sorrow” , a track that is depressive and heavy
in style. It brings to mind Katatonia and My Dying Bride’s sound
(especially some guitar passages which now and then resemble the
atmosphere created by this British formation). This track sets the tone
for entire album which is very similar in style. There’s no space for
optymistic melodies and the music itself is as gloomy and melancholous
as its cover. But calm down, there are no growling vocals and
unnecessary brutal fragments. It’s the atmosphere that is put to the
forefront here, its full of apprehention, tension and fear. And believe
me, you can really feel unsettled while listening to the instrumental
„Fear”, it is so disturbing. The atmosphere is stifling and
claustrophobic, it’s a perfect illustration of what fear is about. The
Fourth track, „Awareness”, is the most varied composition on the album.
It starts with a rock/metal intro featuring very interesting guitar
lines. This is, however, just a prelude, because after a while we are
back into the realm of sorrow and dismy. Apart from the atmospheric
sound in best style (there are some guitar themes, which are slow and
heavy and therefore close to doom metal) this track includes elements
that bring to mind Porcupine Tree’s sound. „Resistance” starts with an
acoustic intro with a magnificent bass line, but it’s again just a
prelude to the main part which is again heavy, depresive in style but
yet very beautiful. Beyond any doubt, „Escape”is the heaviest track
included on the album. Contrary to what we have on previous tracks here,
instead of a delicate passage at the beginning there is a kick ass
heavy intro on guitar and drums. The band deserves credid for this piece
because is’s tasty and they didn’t pack any unnecesarry growling vocals
and any tricks of this kind.„Deliverance”, which is a track that closes
the album,”is very sad and depressive. Does it mean that Eleonore did
not reach the place she was looking for, or maybe it was not the way it
ment to be?? You should look for answers on The Black Noodle Project by
yourself and it will be fun for you, have my word on that
„Eleanore” is very depressive. It’s one of these albums that you have to
listen to from the very beginning to the very end, you cannot take any
tracks out of context. This album includes seven compositions that can
make an impact only if listened to as a whole. It’s heavy, its
progressive and melodic, and long instrumantal passages (with great bass
lines) add a special touch to it. Those who love malancholy, great
feelings and complex sound structures should feel satisfied.
8,5/10
Piotr Michalski
translation: Gosia Michalska