Having referenced the title track of this 7" in the above review, it seems this fantastic composition has finally been furnished with an official release on new American label Selfless Recordings. And talking of "A Call to Arms", guttural yet slightly metallic percussion and a lone flute tune introduce this mid paced orchestral epic. Soon after sparse chimes and slow piano tune builds the composition to the next level, whilst the further incorporation of martial snare drumming and layers of orchestral choir voices ensures Puissance's musical sights are set high. With this track building up until the final moments, this is essentially the pinnacle of what I knew Puissance has the potential to create. Likewise throughout this track a monotone voice recites a page from the Puissance manifesto, however the philosophy here seems to have taken a step away from the previous "destroy everything" attitude towards a metaphor of a fatalistic martyr figure ("It's a pointless struggle but we will fight them... still losing I'm sure, but at least alive, for a short while longer"). The spoken passage is further reprinted on the cover, being well written and serious, highlighting a certain maturation from earlier slightly more simplistic written passages that Puissance used as lyrics. "Religion of Force" being the side B track, is instrumental and whilst not quite as epic a side A is more of an industrial/ martial evocation. Rigidly sharp and atmospheric mid paced percussion strides forth from the outset, set alongside sparsely constructed and relatively non musical atmospheric wavering sound layers (slivers of treated radio voices can also be faintly detected). By no means would I say this is a bad track, rather it just tends to take a back seat to side A. Pressed into white vinyl and limited to 880, the cover is simplistic yet effective in design, thus certainly worth checking out.
BATTLEZINE
CLAY SCHULZE
Each new Puissance release is a new manifesto against mankind and against life. In "A Call to Arms" they create bellicose material. Martial music, hard aliens soundscape, industrial ffects, noise/distortion sounds and more vocal messages parts are used to propagate the apocalyptic ideology. Puissance lyrics are inspired by the "normal" things in life taking a special and different point of view and reflection in media and human beings. Selfless Recordings is specialty label in this kind of band which do not only make music/entertainment, but transform music in a way to express your feelings. Intense militaristic atmo- spheres, industrial and neo-classical melodies in Puissance music create an immediate feeling of desolation and despair, like in "The Omen" movie soundtracks. Puissance are one of the best bands in this style, and "A Call to Arms", it's a celebration about apokalyptic new millenium theory. Let's do it!!!