Alcest

Alcest () is a French post-black metal band from Bagnols-sur-Cèze, founded and led by Neige (Stéphane Paut). It began in 2000 as Neige's black metal solo project that became a trio. Members Aegnor and Argoth left the band following the 2001 release of their first demo, leaving Neige as the sole member. Neige incorporated shoegaze and post-metal into the project's sound from 2005 onwards. In 2009, drummer Winterhalter from Les Discrets joined Alcest, after eight years with Neige as its sole full-time member.

Alcest has released seven studio albums and three EPs. Their fourth album, 2014's Shelter, shifted towards shoegaze, while subsequent album Kodama (2016) returned to blackgaze. Alcest is credited with pioneering blackgaze/post-black metal, particularly with their 2005 EP Le secret.