We welcome the French underground label Les Acteurs De l’Ombre (LADLO) to our rooster. They release some of the finest black metal. We took the chance to catch up with label founder Gérald.
Read that LADLO started as a magazine and concert organizer. Could you elaborate on that and the philosophy and purpose?
“It all started back in 2001, when I decided to create the association LADLO, with two of my friends. At the beginning, it was a webzine for which 50 writers have worked. I had to leave the presidency of the association in 2008 due to a professional transfer, and that is when I requested the creation of the label for the association.
I had this idea in my mind since a few years, but I was lost in the downward spiral of the webzine and the organization of gigs, so I had no time to think about this…
It has been very exciting indeed. Because I always worked for the association as a volunteer, I had no risk of losing money, which allowed me to fully enjoy this new project. Pensées Nocturnes was the solo project of one member of our association that organized gigs : this way, we stayed ‘in family’ so to say – no pressure, only happiness and a burning desire to discover a new universe and meet new persons…
Before, I used to organize gigs all around Paris, among which three annual festivals: Black Metal, Pagan, and Doom Metal for 10 years. The team quickly got bigger; we organized more than 100 shows and more than 500 bands played for us.
Today the label has more than 20 volunteers, and we have no other desire than to have fun and do things the best we can. Making people discover our favorite bands is a main motivation for us.”
French black metal seems relatively big and we also get many orders from France. What do you think about the development of black metal in France?
“I think French scene always generated some interest abroad. It never was a reference, but since black metal was born, it has always offered qualitative bands starting with Mütiilation in 91, Nehëmah in 92 and others. Our bands never really exported themselves, but we got a critical success with a few avant-garde bands such as Blut Aus Nord, and Deathspell Omega, that stood out. While the traditional black metal scene has known its share of great bands, others wanted to try new things, with new inspirations, freeing themselves from their influences and rebelling against conventions. I’d say it’s kind of our trademark: we do what we like, here in France. I think our bands have improved, even if I feel like we were always slow on the uptake. Today, some think we have qualities and follow our flourishing scene very closely. But let’s not be mistaken, French scene remains anecdotal in black metal universe. World is full of so many great bands…”
Thanks a lot Gérald for your words and good luck with everything going forward!
Make sure to visit the homepage of LADLO, and below you’ll find the recently added titles from this fine label…
Griffon – O Theos, O Basileus LP 
Belenos – Argoat 2LP 
Borgne – Y 2LP 
Paramnesia / Unru – s/t LP 
Regarde Les Hommes Tomber – Exile LP 
Regarde Les Hommes Tomber – s/t LP 
Grave Circles – Tome II LP 
Hyrgal – Serpentine LP 
Crépuscule D’Hiver – Par-Delà Noireglaces Et Brumes-Sinistres 2LP 
In Cauda Venenum – G.O.H.E. LP 
In Cauda Venenum – In Cauda Venenum LP 
Darkenhöld – Memoria Sylvarum LP
