JIRFIYA: Waiting For Dawn (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

While we were expecting the release of the second chapter of Born From Lie's "New World Order", Jérôme and Pascal, both founding members, are back with a new project called Jirfiya and its EP "Waiting For Dawn", accompanied by singer Ingrid Denis-Payet (Oscil, Mercibo).

If this realization may surprise by its suddenness, it is nonetheless the testimony of the creative spirit of Jérôme and Pascal in its deepest sense. It must also be said that Jirfiya is above all the result of an artistic encounter with Ingrid that allows the two musicians to go beyond what they propose within Born From Lie. Thus presented, the EP is very feminine in the sense that it shows an exacerbated melodic search while remaining in the spirit of the original, heavy and powerful band. The approach is thus similar to that of an Ayreon because of his many duels between female and male voices, accentuating the very cinematographic aspect of Jérôme's writing.

This desire to sound very melodic is immediately present with pretty almost Hispanic acoustic guitar chords that welcome the listener and then disappear into sound smoke after a catchy electric furia ('The Report Card'). Ingrid's singing is expressed in a rather raging way, enhanced by Jérôme who is growing better and better. May the refractories of this technique be reassured, throughout the album, these lines, which remain relatively discreet, blend very well with the concept of struggle, doubts and introspection that makes up the foundation of the album.

In this EP, everything is done to highlight Ingrid's voice both in terms of very well written compositions and a very balanced production. The performer thus embraces all the themes of the album, which denounces an increasingly dark society in which everyone will have their own perception, alternating fragility, sensuality and strength. She succeeds in the often dangerous bet of never overplaying the emotion that permeates the album, as in the magnificent ballad "A Part Of Light", which is devilishly effective, with its heady chorus. In 'Waiting For Your Fall', Ingrid demonstrates a beautiful vocal technique with a screamed song that exalts rage at certain heinous acts often justified in the name of religion on the orders of preachers. In this song, the band dares to use a few anathematical notes as an introduction. The combination of highly expressive, sharp guitar solos and a varied rhythmic style gives the album its epic and energetic aspects, as can a good old Maiden, thus creating a setting in which Ingrid's vocal lines are nestled. The listener will also be able to think about other themes such as violence against women, harassment, life that passes quickly ('Under Control' that alternates mid tempo and more brutal passages).

More than a spin of Born From Lie, Jirfiya is a successful and already mature project that suffers from only one defect, that of being too short. The musicians have made progress in their approach to their writing, which is more direct, less convoluted and in their interpretation. If the 3 Graces on the cover hide their eyes from seeing the world as it is now, don't plug your ears to fully enjoy a record that will delight fans of epic heavy metal and pretty female voices like Sharon Den Adel or Anneke Van Giesbergen. - Official website

JIRFIYA

WAITING FOR DAWN

AUTRE LABEL

ROCK