Wegferend – “En Autremonde – Chapter Two”

Wow! Sometimes you have to have patience and wait. The best music will come to you eventually. As Orson Welles said so eloquently, “In its time…” Wegferend’s En Autremonde – Chapter Two, hit the spot, after I downloaded and first listened to the promo. It is an instant, calmer and soother of moods. I may dare to say, it is the music that you have been waiting for, if you need a break from what is popular, or maybe what you have been listening to regularly. I am already trying to get the CD. This album is definitely a keeper. Now I am also requesting Chapter One for review. This is simply magical music, heard at just the right time.

En Autremonde – Chapter Two, was recorded in November 2021 at Silent Ruins Studio by Fred Blanchard. The album was mixed by Fred Blanchard and mastered by Laurent Marc. Guest artists include: Pierre Burette: cello on “En Autremonde”; and Jeff Grimal: guitar on “Druide”. The artwork, which matches the talent of the recording was created, skillfully by Marine Joumard.

The first chapter was released on October 18^th, 2019, to critical acclaim. Wegferend makes music to “invoke stories”. “The kind of which are told by a fireplace when, after a thunderstorm, the sky isn’t yet ready to let golden sunrays out”

The band is made up of: Manon Cazaméa, who plays guitars, mandola, and sings backing vocals; Alexia Cazaméa, who sings lead vocals, plays recorders, and overtone flute; and Thomas Boissier, who plays percussion, drums, flutes, mandola, shamanic bass drum, floor tom, bendir, darbouka, bodhran, cymbals, Tibetan singing bowl; and sings backing vocals.

Alexia Cazaméa, Manon Cazaméa, and Thomas Boissier.

Their music “draws inspiration from many wells: neo-folk, traditional music from Europe and the East, progressive music, and several subgenres of metal. The three musicians offer oneiric folk sounds that keep oscillating between contemplation and brutality”.

Every track on this album is a concerto of calm and meditative, thoughtful pondering.

“Gedim”, opens this wonderful epic chapter of the story with soft, intricate, acoustic guitar, and then soft patting of percussion. Alexia Cazaméa’s beautiful voice, softly enters the soundscape, singing in French. It sounds as if from a dream, as if we have entered a different dimension, or a gentler era of history. Over nine minutes of pleasurable music. Even if you don’t speak French, you can still enjoy this song. (Maybe even better, not knowing the meaning). The guitar playing is so wonderfully elegant.

“Holy Ghost”, is the only track, so far, supported by an accompanying music video. The video is brutal at times, but it fits the subject matter well. The six string folk guitar gets a lot of use throughout this album with wonderful effect. The sound is acoustic and wonderfully organic. It is prominent at the opening and throughout this track. Alexia Cazaméa’s voiced is so full of emotion and dread at times. The soprano recorder actually may sound more subdued than a flute here, and it fits the soundscape more appropriately. The percussion and drums section of the song, make you want to run to her aide. Over 4 minutes of stellar story-telling. A huge album highlight.

“The Wayfarer”, is full of that wonderful six string folk guitar, with Irish tin and low whistles, like a Celtic nocturne. Alexia Cazaméa’s vocals, bring back memories of Loreena McKennitt or Enya; in this over nine minute reverie of wonder.

“Druide”, opens with stillness and quiet. Then the sound of crickets chirping before Jeff Grimal adds classical guitar, playing along with some wonderful percussion accompaniment. The combination of the six string folk guitar and the classical guitar, help make this song even more memorable. Alexia Cazaméa’s haunting voice, matches the natural rhythm of the tambourine and drums. Over 5 minutes of peace, in this world. Thank You!

On “Lost in Reveries”, mandota is added to the sound, along with the six string folk guitar and Alexia Cazaméa’s haunting hums and vocal sounds. Nearly six minutes of wonderful music with alto recorder taking us further. Cazaméa’s voice is stunning, whether or not she is singing lyrics. Few can do it this well. I already compared her to two female vocal legends earlier.

“Jos l’Uèlh de la Brèissa”, opens with the howling sounds of wind, augmented with twelve and six string folk guitars. Thomas Boissier sings lead vocals at the beginning of this one with Alexia Cazaméa’s soft swooning vocals supporting. Powerful drumming and percussion make this one of the loudest and most powerful songs on the album. Over eight minutes of firepower unleashed. A guitar, sound that will take you back to early Genesis, supported with overtone flute. At times it almost feels like a Ennio Morricone movie soundtrack…and who here doesn’t appreciate the tip of the hat? Alexia Cazaméa returns and carries the end of the song, singing some of her best vocals.

“En Autremonde”, features Pierre Burette on cello. It is the closing and title track of the album. At over five minutes, it may be the best song on this album of greatest hits. The song opens with the crackling fire we have been talking about throughout this review; along with thunder and soft rain. The guitar sounds along with Alexia Cazaméa’s hums and the deep cello, create a fine, fall or winter by the fireside mood. The slow cello only enhances the atmosphere of the soundscape. The patter of percussion is precise and well-timed. What a powerful ending!

I admit, like they said, this music is more fitting, or designed for “stories, told by a fireplace when, after a thunderstorm, the sky isn’t yet ready to let golden sunrays out”, but it is great for every season. I am listening to it at the height of summer in 2023, and you must be in the right mood or frame of mind, to relax, appreciate and listen to this music. And please, listen to the whole album. Do not cut yourself short. Absolutely one of my favorite albums of the year. This will be wonderful in the fall; however, I am enjoying it now. Don’t wait! Get this and Chapter One, if you can. I look forward to interviewing this band soon. A wonderful surprise…not to be missed!

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