Hardiesse (‘boldness, bravery’) is a duo consisting of Wynter on bass and vocals (Wÿntër Ärvn, Woest, ex-Aorlhac), and Hyver on guitar and vocals (Grylle, Véhémence, Hanternoz, Hyver, Tour d’Ivoire, Paydretz), so I had to check it out, and it was everything you’d expect it to be and what I hoped it would be.

Tristesse Vespérale is 5 songs in 22 minutes of regal, medieval French black metal that you would think would come from this duo. It’s triumphantly melodic and littered with tremolo-picked, heradic riffs, along with howls and chants. It skips the more atmospheric medieval instrumentation and interludes that some of their other projects deliver, and just focuses on rousing, shrill, jangly, shimmering riffs.

In particular, the rousing march of opener “Audace” and the ending trio of “Remparts”, “Soupirs” and “Sentinelles” really get your medieval black metal on and ready to charge the English at Agincourt. The vocals vary between an expected black metal rasp and a gruffer bellow, all adding to the overall mood. That said, this is less shimmery armor and armies of waving banners, but more like the battles in movies like Henry V or The Last Duel; more grimy, battered, and close-quarters combat, but it still has a heroic aura.

I’ll definitely be looking forward to an upcoming full-length, as this is an excellent teaser of the epic battles to come.