Aug 042026
 

(written by Islander)

Is it possible for a single phenomenon to both freeze someone’s blood and heat it to a destroying boil? Physiologists would say no, but they probably haven’t heard the music of Dètresse, which is often an experience that drives us to imagine such a thing.

This trio of talents from Austria and Quebec introduced themselves just last year through a startling debut album named Pessimismes, released by Vendetta Records. We described its music as “emotionally raw, explosively cathartic, and unrelenting in its intensity”, but also as “saturated in agony and hopelessness”, “ruined as well as raging”, and wholly “engulfing” in its varying emotional torrents.

Pessimismes was an eye-popping, heart-stirring, and soul-sinking debut, so much so that it landed Dètresse at Julfest in Austria earlier this year, followed by a two-week European tour alongside Miserere Luminis in April, and will put them on stages in another tour alongside Darvaza, Merrimack, and Helleruin in December 2026, which will include appearances at Eindhoven Metal Meeting (Netherlands) and De Mortem et Diabolum (Germany).

The December touring activity is prompted in part by Vendetta Records’ forthcoming October release of a second Dètresse album — Misères. We are helping to announce that event today through our premiere of a song from the new album named “Verrottet“. Continue reading »

May 012025
 

(written by Islander)

The names of the people in Détresse should draw attention among ardent listeners of black metal whose appreciation for the art goes much deeper than merely skimming the big names at the surface:

Guitars + vocals: S.P. (Lebenssucht, Einst)
Bass: C.S. (Gevurah – live)
Drums: L.S. (Anomalie)

Well, initials rather than names, but with a bit of searching you can learn who they are. What these three have done together from their locations in Austria and Québec is manifested in a debut Détresse album named Pessimismes that will be released by Vendetta Records on May 17th. The words offered in preview on behalf of the label are worth sharing: Continue reading »