(written by Islander)
In February of this year Hypnotic Dirge Records released a new album named Antipole by the Canadian death/doom metal band Norilsk. Originally a duo consisting of Nic Miquelon and Nick Richer, the band had expanded by then to include guitarists Tom Hansen and Matt MacIvor, who joined in 2016 and 2017 respectively. But Antipole was the first album to be recorded by all four members, after extensive rehearsals and work among them on the arrangements.
The results of this collaboration, as captured on Antipole, really represent a significant step forward for the band (every band says that about each new release, but in this case it’s really true). The music isn’t conventional death/doom by any means, but encompasses intriguing and surprising stylistic interplays and contrasts.
Moreover, the music’s changing shades of light and dark, of beauty and tragedy, of granitic weight and ethereal evanescence, reflect its thematic interests (sometimes rooted in literature) in expressing duality. As an example of this, today we have a compelling lyric video for a very compelling song off Antipode called “La Fonte“.
Before we get to the video, we should share comments about it by Norilsk vocalist/bassist Nic Miquelon, as well as video director Erik Labossiere, to provide a deeper perspective on the experience. First, from Nic Miquelon:
The lyrics for “La fonte” were some of the first to be written on Antipole. The concept behind the song brings two ideas together: the idea of bearing a heavy weight, and the feeling of letting go. Coincidentally, in French, the word “fonte” has a double meaning: it can be translated by “cast iron” as well as “thaw”.
One direct source of inspiration was Leo Tolstoy’s short story “Family Happiness.” The mourning atmosphere of a 19th Century household over long and cold winter months, the wait and its uncertainty, and the hope for a release became the perfect setting for “La fonte”. As water rises with the thaw, the idea of a release from a heavy weight carries many interpretations, including a doom scenario.
Working remotely with Erik Labossiere on the design for two music videos (“D’ombre et de glace” and “La fonte”) – where band members wouldn’t appear – the narrative behind “La fonte” became the keystone holding all the pieces together: the two music videos, the character development, the two songs’ lyrics, the atmosphere behind the music, and Erik’s scenography.
(At the end of this article you can take in that other video, for “D’ombre et de glace (l’asphyxie)“.)
And now, here are comments from video director Erik Labossiere:
Norilsk offered a unique opportunity I don’t often get to explore in this genre – telling a story inspired by classic literature that captures a specific atmosphere and emotion, while also ensuring the themes and character established in Norilsk‘s greater musical catalogue. Having access to a location curated with history in mind and an actress excited to explore the space created a really ideal situation.
Lyric videos are often very simple and without narrative, and I have always felt that if someone is utilizing the visual medium, then its my intention to make it worth that attention. I wanted to express a visual story as captivating as its inspiration, and Norilsk provided the freedom for us to do so.
Of course, we have our own impressions to offer, focusing on the music.
The song itself is very heavy and reflexively head-moving, and it’s sinister and sour, unsettling but also mesmerizing. The track’s steady rocking beats and burly bass lines are a big part of what makes heads move, and those big gnarled low-frequency throbs are also a key to what makes it so sinister, so ominous.
But the low, gasping but gritty vocals are also sinister, as are the quick and quickly squirming guitar-throbs. The music repeatedly builds in volume and then recedes, without ever losing the song’s potent rhythmic hook, and the experience takes an even more enticing (but somewhat evil) turn through a guitar solo tuned to sound like a cross between an accordion and a fiddle.
The band add more facets to the music with haunted gothic singing and tremolo’d melodies that sizzle and whirl, as well as jagged, frightful snarls and a riff that brutishly jolts.
The whole experience is be-clouded but also devilish, and not easily forgotten once heard.
VIDEO CREDITS:
Filmed and Edited by: Erik Labossiere and Kristin Wagner (IG @dsmsblk)
Featuring: Sarah Fiset (IG @the.lion.girl)
Special thanks to: The Indian Head Museum (IG @indianheadmuseum)
BUY/STREAM ANTIPOLE:
https://hypnoticdirge-eustore.com/2025-Releases-c175522636
https://www.hypnoticdirgerecords.com/hypnotic-dirge-webstore.php
https://hypnoticdirgerecords.bandcamp.com/album/antipole
FOLLOW NORILSK:
https://norilskdoom.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NorilskDoom
https://www.instagram.com/norilskdoom