Search - Demians :: Building An Empire

Cinematic and moody...

Murat Batmaz | Istanbul, Turkey | 05/31/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Demians (inspired by a book by Herman Hesse) is the solo project of French musician Nicolas Chapel. He plays all instruments on the album, but he has also assembled a live lineup for touring purposes.



The debut consists of eight tunes which clock in at almost an hour of running time. Starting with the ambitious "The Perfect Symmetry", one will immediately notice the huge sound Chapel has constructed. Mainly composed of crytalline acoustic guitars and rich shades of synthesizers, the song boasts a curious mix of spoken parts underscoring Chapel's mellow, laidback singing and the occasional rhythm guitar crunch. The song mostly moves in a midtempo pace, but it is littered with dense sound experimentation, where bleeps and static protrude amidst weird radio excerpts and a steady, monotonous drum workout. Towards the end, the tune takes on a cinematic bent thanks to the rising guitar crescendo and varied synth harmonies.



The acoustic guitars of "Shine" and "Naive" somewhat recall Blackfield, each starting out really mellow and building to an intense finale. The former gets really going halfway through with cascading keyboard melodies and its staccato rhythm guitars while the latter stands out for its dynamic song structure. The uplifting vocals also bring to mind Peter Gabriel (think "Solsbury Hill"). Also there is the beautifully produced "Sapphire", with its subtle bass tones and symphonic textures. The way the heavy synth tones keep overlapping each other at the end is sublime.



Chapel has achieved the juxtaposition of dark and light perfectly on Building An Empire, as the second half of the album is more psychedelic and darker toned. Cuts like "Unspoken" contain Porcupine Tree-like atmospherics and guitar elements stretching into white noise. Tracks six and seven, "Temple" and "Empire", are linked both thematically and musically. The electronic sound sequencing that finishes "Temple" reappers in the intro of "Empire", linking the tunes successfully. The lyrics, too, seem to address a similar theme, as Chapel has channeled into them feelings of fear of loss. In a way, "Empire" expands on the soundcape formed by "Temple", with neat doubled vocals and jazzy overtones a la Steven Wilson's other band No-Man.



The sixteen-minute "Sand" embodies the whole Demians sound, and is perhaps the album's high point. The tribal drumming and percussion works very well over the moody sounds created. Even Chapel's vocals take on a more serious, aggressive delivery (the scream towards the end almost borders on growling). Also, the bass guitar playing on this one is quite atypical compared to the other tunes, as the bass takes centre stage, particularly during the addictive keyboard melody -- this one commands all prog lovers' attention.



This album is arguably among the most mellow discs in the Inside Out catalog, perhaps right up there with Chroma Key, Kino, and RPWL, though it's totally different musically. One would be wiser to group them with acts like Blackfield, No-Man, Nosound, and even later-day Alcest, another one-man band from France."

Finally

John Dillon | Santa Barbara, CA United States | 05/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some of us in the electronic ether have known of Nicolas Chapel's musical aspirations for nearly half a decade, and we've all been waiting patiently. Well, after far, far too much waiting, the album has finally arrived and is somehow even more amazing than I ever expected it to be.



Many will rank songs individually and give descriptions of each in an attempt to review an album, but this format does no justice to Building an Empire. This record is an holistic entity unto itself, and really must be taken as a whole from beginning to end. The emotional journey that the music will take the listener on mirrors that of Nic with every passing incredibly personal minute of music.



The music is acoustic and mellow; the music is heavy and bludgeoning. The must is absolutely beautiful with its sweeping string arrangements; the album is eviscerating at its harshest. The music is absolutely moving. I've long described Chapel's music the following way: listening to Demians is like that first moment of realization after an incredibly heavy burden has been lifted from you-- that moment in which you realize that you are free of your blight and can do anything you want to do if you just put your mind to it. Those are the moments in which I, personally, have felt happiest in my entire life. It is for that quality in this music that I find myself smiling like an idiot and wondering what the other people on the train think of me.



I have recommended this album to everybody I know and love. Those who don't buy it for themselves will be getting it for the next viable gift-giving occasion. Building an Empire somehow exceeded every incredibly unrealistic expectation I had for it and has completely taken over my life since I first heard it as an Amazon mp3 download a week ago. I feel somewhat uneasy about dolling out such a title, but this is easily one of my five favorite records of all time. It may well be number two on the list-- if only for the sentimental attachment that I have no number one.



Buy this album for yourself and everyone you know.



Absolute 10/10"

A Rising Force

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 09/30/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"So finally Nicolas Chapel's much-heralded debut has come to fruition! I gave Building An Empire a good many listens on a recent road trip to Atlanta and back and have decided that I like it quite well. While Chapel is no Steven Wilson, with the release of this album he serves notice that he is a rising musical force with one foot in the world of prog and the other in the world of metal.

From the very beginning, the listener will know that he/she is hearing someone who is set to make his mark on the music world. Whether you like intricately-woven musical tapestries or prefer a driving guitar attack, there is something for you here. My favorites are The Perfect Symmetry, Sand, and Earth.

The CD comes with a booklet containing lyrics, album info, and "thanks" to everyone under the sun. Perhaps your enjoyment will be enhanced if you read the very literate and intelligent lyrics while listening for the first time so you get an idea of what Chapel is about.

InsideOut Music has a history of finding and promoting promising new acts in the worlds of metal and prog. With Demians, they have found another winner. If you are musically adventurous, give Building An Empire a listen and hear what I mean."