What makes Kodama by Alcest notable?

Upon its release, 'Kodama' received widespread acclaim, debuting at number 14 on the French Albums Chart. The album is noted for its seamless fusion of black metal and shoegaze, influencing numerous artists within the blackgaze movement and earning Alcest further recognition as significant contributors to contemporary metal. By the time 'Kodama' was released in 2016, Alcest had established themselves as pioneers of the blackgaze genre following their critically acclaimed album 'Shelter' in 2014. This album marked a return to their heavier roots while blending atmospheric elements, showcasing their evolution as artists and solidifying their influence in post-metal.

Kodama works well if you're into long immersive listening sessions, gradual builds and payoffs and atmospheric background focus.

How many songs are on Kodama?

Kodama has 6 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Kodama

Alcest · 2016

42 min · 6 tracks · black metal

Ethereal melodies intertwine with harsh black metal elements, creating a haunting soundscape that transports listeners to a dreamlike realm.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Kodama — The title track encapsulates the album's duality, merging serene instrumentals with intense vocals, setting the thematic tone for the entire record.
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Éclosion — This track showcases intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts, perfectly illustrating Alcest's ability to blend heavy and melodic elements seamlessly.
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Je suis d’ailleurs — The song features an ethereal vocal delivery paired with rich instrumentation, exploring themes of otherworldliness that resonate throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

Kodama blends black metal and shoegaze effectively, showcasing strong contrasts and atmospheric depth.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features layered guitars creating a dense atmosphere before transitioning into more melodic sections.
Each track typically alternates between harsh vocal styles and ethereal clean singing, enhancing the contrast between the black metal and shoegaze elements.
The final track, 'Onyx', features an extended instrumental outro that gradually fades out, allowing for a reflective conclusion to the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long immersive listening sessions
gradual builds and payoffs
atmospheric background focus
dynamic emotional journeys

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'Kodama' was released in 2016, Alcest had established themselves as pioneers of the blackgaze genre following their critically acclaimed album 'Shelter' in 2014. This album marked a return to their heavier roots while blending atmospheric elements, showcasing their evolution as artists and solidifying their influence in post-metal.
Stylistic neighbors: Les Discrets· Agalloch· Deafheaven