Forteresse have an interesting ideological theme incorporated into their craft of black metal on their third full-length album, Par Hauts Bois et Vastes Plaines. From Montreal, Forteresse are playing droning, drearily slow-paced ambient black metal with themes of Quebec nationalism and, presumably, secession from Canada. This is the first that I’ve heard of this sort of theme in black metal, but I suppose that a secessionist movement fits in an ideological sense.

Regardless of the originality of the ideological approach, though, there’s nothing original about the music of Par Hauts Bois et Vastes Plaines. Depressive, very slow, near ambient suicidal black metal with huge nods to Xasthur, Striborg, and other like minded acts is the name of the game here, with very slow movements primarily composed from keyboards, fuzzy guitars and bass that have nearly faded to the point of non-existence, and muted howls and screeches deep in the background.

This sort of approach to suicidal black metal has been played out for several years as the subgenre has largely disappeared of late. Forteresse add nothing new to the genre, except perhaps that the band is a bona fide trio rather than just merely the angst of one pale misanthrope in a basement somewhere. Forteresse have obviously listened to a lot of music from this genre, and hit all of the clichйs.

The prominent keyboards have some pleasant, slow melodies with plenty of droning atmosphere, but the guitars and bass are just tinny, high pitched fuzz deep in the background. The vocals are muted, the drums do not vary at all, and, unfortunately, there’s really not enough here to sustain a full-length album as most listeners will become bored within the first couple of songs.

In short, you pretty much get the gist of Forteresse well before the album’s conclusion, never mind previous efforts from the band, and it’s not good. Avoid.