Ivich - La mort heureuse | The Shape of Screamo to Come

Release Information:

1994
Pikaϊa Records
Saint Maurice, Île-de-France, France
Runtime: 28:00
Tracks: 9

Band Members:

Eric (Vocals)
Yann Maisonneuve (Guitar)
Cedric (Bass)
Yves Maisonneuve (Drums)
Thierry (Trumpet)

Genres, Influences and Characteristics:

Screamo, Hardcore Punk, Lofi, Chaotic, Melodic, Offbeat

Musical Analysis:

As evidenced by the truly ludicrous drumming, Hardcore is the guide with which Ivich brought forth Screamo; blistering beats and thunderous fills characterize the vast majority of the drumming on here, though the guitars often drop the typical Punkish chord progressions in favor of more melody, dissonance and/or ambiance. The discord manifested by these insane elements is further intensified with offbeat trumpeting and rapid-fire vocal delivery, dropping the listener into a warzone of racket.

Historical Analysis:

Ivich debuted in 1992 with Sculpteur de cris, a weird and expressive Hardcore album with primitive Screamo inklings all masked by truly horrid production. Their 1993 EP featured the French Screamo pioneers pushing European Hardcore to its brink. Their sophomore full-length goes further as a hidden gem spearheading France's burgeoning Screamo scene. Pretty much every French Screamo band ever owes Ivich a huge debt of gratitude for basically inventing the genre out in Europe.

Lyrical Analysis:

*Note that because this is an old, DIY and relatively minor release in the grand scheme of Emo and Punk history, I cannot locate lyrics for any of these songs. If more lyrics can be dug out, I will reevaluate the lyrical analysis. Please note any lyrical analysis on my end will lack cultural nuance and accuracy in the translation.*