Via Doloris Premiere Debut Album "Guerre et Paix" with Black Metal Promotion!
- Jason Hesley
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Via Doloris is rooted in an inward journey rather than orthodoxy. Conceived in solitude and shaped by discipline, composer and multi-instrumentalist Gildas Le Pape (ex-Satyricon) traces a melodic, atmospheric and introspective path through black metal’s foundations. On debut album Guerre et Paix, he’s joined by Frost, the legendary drummer of Satyricon and 1349, who provides a sense of persistence, grounded and unyielding.
Guerre et Paix comes out this Friday, March 20 on Season of Mist, but you can hear all seven piercing songs today by listening to the full album stream on Black Metal Promotion.
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Born in Brittany, France, and based in Oslo, Le Pape first gained attention as guitarist in Satyricon from 2007 to 2013, touring extensively and contributing to the band’s self-titled album. After stepping away to explore a broad range of musical directions, he returned to extreme music with a renewed creative vision and sharpened intent. Via Doloris represents the culmination of that journey: a project shaped by solitude, discipline and an uncompromising sense of craft.
Rooted in Nordic black metal tradition yet guided by melody, restraint and emotional depth, Via Doloris occupies a space distinct from genre convention. Le Pape writes all music and lyrics, performing guitars, bass and vocals. The compositions favor measured, expressive arcs over aggression or spectacle, with melody serving as the driving force rather than ornamentation. Folk and pagan influences surface throughout the arrangements, lending the album a timeless, almost ritualistic atmosphere. Lyrics shift between French, English and Norwegian, each language chosen deliberately for its emotional weight and texture.
Frost’s nuanced playing adds both weight and subtlety to the record. Guest vocals on "Omniprésents" are performed by the late Raido (Ferriterium, Heimsgard, Karne).