Inire-Cauchemar

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Inire is a hard rock/southern metal band that hails from Québec and is lead by vocalist Dre Versailles. Based in Ottawa and sporting a vast array of influences that range from Pantera and (early) Alice In Chains to Hatebreed and (later day) Metallica, Inire has been active since 2007. Musicians John Laflamme (guitar), Dim Gervais (guitar), Fred B. Simard (bass), and Chris Bonavia (drums) round out this highly-versatile five-piece group that is now in it's ninth year of existence. Between the years 2007 and 2009 Inire put out a self-titled demo and one full-length recording entitled, "Born the Wicked, The Fallen, The Damned". For whatever reason it would be seven long years before the members of Inire were finally able to head back into the studio and record a follow-up to their 2009 debut album. During that "cooling off" period the members of Inire obviously grew as both musicians and songwriters. The jump in quality between "Born the Wicked, The Fallen, The Damned" and this forthcoming album offers plenty of proof to back up that observation. With a hefty run-time of forty three minutes and fifty four seconds, "Cauchemar" is a new take on the somewhat warn-out southern metal sound and it further stretches my belief that warm and rich vibes can come from the coldest environments! Produced by the group's own drummer, Chris Bonavia, and available for pre-order by clicking here, Inire's long-awaited second album finds this groovy, heavy and hard band adding a touch or two of Tool to the mix as well as some modern metal. Despite these new "flavor additives" the thirteen-track "Cauchemar" is remarkably consistent from beginning to end. Even though it fluctuates between mellow, dark and slow material and some truly riff-heavy rockers it has this distinct and undeniable flow about it that is really comfortable. The album's thirteen tracks seemingly feed off of each other and they draw the listener in nice and close. Overall it is an album that sets out to paint a picture of one band that feels invigorated and ready for whatever comes next. Due out on November 18th, "Cauchemar" achieves that goal while firmly putting a bright spotlight on vocalist Dre Versailles and his companions. Hopefully this is just the first of many such releases for this well-deserving band....