To me, somehow, (most) French bands always have something very special. Something that I couldn’t really grasp or describe exactly. And, it doesn't matter what genre it is.
The recently (2020) formed band ǤỨŔŪ are no exception. The first lyric video, Bathed In Sunlight, which was released with the press release for the upcoming debut album, immediately put me under their spell. The band itself keeps a low profile and is as mysterious as the band name. The members operate only under their first names and come from different corners of France. There is no other information given.

I have no idea if the band name has a special meaning in its spelling or if these are just exuberant diacritics of the Spanish "el gurú" (the French “le gourou” doesn't fit). Spanish because the cover artwork is an excerpt from Goya's "La romería de San Isidro", one of the so-called Black Paintings created in Madrid towards the end of his life. Interestingly, however, the lyrics are written in English.

Similar to Goya's Black Paintings, the debut Nova Lvx unfolds an intense, bleak and haunting atmosphere, both musically and lyrically. ǤỨŔŪ fuse Black with Doom Metal, but also let a good portion of epic Pagan Metal flow in. The vocals of Jerry change from abysmal growls over croaking to theatrical opera-like clear vocals. Always then, it becomes epic and I feel clearly reminded of Primordial's Nemtheanga, especially in Pilgrim On The Path Of Tears. Overall, however, Arcturus also come to mind.

The intro to the opener In The Crimson Smoke is briefly reminiscent of Sólstafir with its drawn-out tones and semi-acoustic strokes, but then transitions into classic Black Metal, which is followed by alternating doomy, clear-sung sections and Black Metal blast parts. The track is varied, even entertaining, despite its almost 9 minutes, but somehow doesn't really stick.
Pilgrim On The Path Of Tears first scratches on doomy fields and then quickly switches into a casual, mid-tempo driven Immortal/Abbath Black'n'Roll mode, including passionate ugh's. I really expected to hear a "Mighty Ravendark" along the way ;)
Doom Metal is then fully played out in Bathed In Sunlight, which at first wallows heavily in melancholy and slowly meanders along, but then comes up with a memorable riff and epic vocals. No black metal, no blast parts.
The debut is rounded off by the title track Nova Lvx, the shortest and catchiest song on the album. The bass lines are distinctive but likewise casual and give the song something like an elated touch. The vocals vary between typical croaking and epic “Nova Lux” battle cries, to which you involuntarily raise your fists to the sky. Hard guitar strokes and repeatedly interspersed blast parts meet a catchy melody. And even the guitar solos stand out and stick. An extremely awesome song, which is best enjoyed at full volume to completely freak out. Killer!

Admittedly, here and there ǤỨŔŪ lose themselves a bit, become trivial at times or sound too much like already known fare. Especially the first two songs leave little impression and hardly stick. This is objectively a bit meager and the awarded 7.5 points therefore more than benevolent. Because, to me, Nova Lvx is a fascinating debut. One that has that certain something about it and one that I really like.
And Nova Lvx is, due to its short running time, still a lot of fun even the tenth time and is neither boring nor exhausting. That scores points. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next!