Eight years is how long we had to wait to finally find out how the story of Bret Halford, the serial killer born from Carpenter Brut's imagination, would end in the trilogy of albums that began in 2018 with Leather Teeth and continued in 2022 with Leather Terror. Eight years during which the musician has gained a wealth of experience: collaborations with numerous artists, notable appearances at many festivals, and the consolidation of a loyal fanbase, mainly from the metal scene, but not exclusively. To close this trilogy with Leather Temple, the French artist has decided to take a step back: here, there are no guest appearances, no frills; we return to the essentials with a 100% instrumental album.
The story of this new installment takes us to 2077, to a devastated city built on the ruins of a nuclear disaster. This megalopolis is ruled with an iron fist by Iron Tusk, a megalomaniac tyrant who floods the population with propaganda promising order and prosperity, while brutally crushing any form of opposition. Faced with this authoritarian regime, a group of rebels called the Horde attempts to organize resistance, led by Lita Connor. It is she who, while searching through the rubble of the city, discovers the cryogenically frozen body of Bret Halford, a serial killer who was active in the 1990s. She decides to bring him back to life by rebuilding him as a cyborg, hoping to turn him into a weapon capable of overthrowing Iron Tusk.
By setting the album in the future, one might have expected the artist to explore decidedly modern sounds; in the end, this is not the case. Instead, we find the familiar mix of retro textures coupled with aggressive bass and edgy beats. The aesthetic of the 80s remains very much present, even if some tracks adopt a heavier and darker atmosphere. After all, fashion trends are cyclical, so Carpenter Brut may well be on to something by continuing to draw on these influences to paint a picture of the future.
With this entirely instrumental album, the artist makes a welcome return to his roots, highlighting what has always been his strength: a keen sense of composition and a remarkable ability to immerse the listener in his world, while telling a story without resorting to lyrics. The result is rich compositions with catchy, easy-to-sing melodies. Like the tracks on Trilogy, you'll soon find yourself whistling these melodies while nodding your head frantically.
As mentioned, Carpenter Brut composes his tracks as if he were writing a film soundtrack. With Leather Temple, he focuses on tracks designed for car chases, notably Start Your Engines, Speed or Perish, and The Misfits / The Rebels, which ramp up the BPM to full throttle. In contrast, Major Threat and the eponymous Leather Temple create a more oppressive atmosphere where the threat is palpable. Neon Requiem, enhanced by its saxophone and Italo-disco influences, creates a more contemplative and melancholic interlude, while Iron Sanctuary highlights the cinematic dimension of the composition. This aspect is further accentuated by the album's introduction and conclusion, as well as by the use of organs and feverish synth pads. In this respect, Carpenter (Brut) has never sounded so much like Carpenter (John), and this is all the more evident in the finale, The End Complete, which acts as an end credits sequence. The intensity gradually subsides, giving way to a more epic and dramatic atmosphere.
More than just a synthwave album, Leather Temple is an immersive experience that transports the listener to a dystopian future that is both fascinating and dangerous, populated by cyborgs, rebels, and megalomaniacal tyrants. Between nostalgia for the 80s and modern sounds, Carpenter Brut succeeds in reinventing his universe while returning to basics. The album progresses like a true narrative: adrenaline rushes, melancholic pauses, and a final climax, offering a conclusion that is both satisfying for longtime fans and accessible to newcomers.
Like the artwork that visually complements the body of killer Bret Halford, Leather Temple brings this new trilogy to a definitive close. This album confirms that Carpenter Brut remains a master of the imaginary soundtrack, capable of telling a captivating story solely through the power of his synths and rhythms.
