French metal band, Alcest, has debuted the evocative new music video for its song “Sapphire.” The track is the second single being released from the group’s upcoming album, Spiritual Instinct. The album will be Alcest’s sixth studio album, and the follow up to their wildly successful Kodama. Their new album was recorded at the French Drudenhaus Studios and was written in bursts both during and after their prolonged period of touring in support of Kodama.

Alcest’s, Spiritual Instinct, will be the first project the group releases through Nuclear Blast and will lead the listener through a series of dark soundscapes full of spiritual catharsis. The album is set to release on October 25th and will be available in limited edition quantities of ocean green, burgundy, polar white, black and royal blue colored LPs.

Alcest was originally formed as a black metal solo project by Neige in early 2000. The band later evolved into a trio of members including Neige on vocals, rhythm guitar, and drums, Argoth on bass guitar and Aegnor (now known as La sale Famine de Valfunde) on lead guitar. However, after releasing a 4-track demo the band ended up back as a solo project with Neige wanting to take Alcest in a more personal direction. Alcest remained a solo project for quite a while before Winterhalter joined as the drummer in 2009.

Not only will the band be dropping its second album in three years, but the group has also announced a tour in support of the album. Anyone wanting to get a taste of Alcest and their music before Spiritual Instinct drops can catch them performing at one of these locations. The band will also make a few festival appearances in 2020 including the Rock Hard Festival in Gelsenkirchen and Party San Open Air in Schlotheim.

09/28 – Amsterdam – Paradiso
10/13 – Barcelona – AMFest
10/18 – Leeuwarden – Into the Void
10/19 – Hameln – Autumn Moon Festival
10/26 – Strasbourg – La Laiterie
11/02 – Leeds – Damnation Festival
11/16 – Neunkirchen – Gloomaar Festival
12/06 – Madrid – Madrid is the Dark
12/07 – Lisbon – Under the Doom Festival
12/13 – Eindhoven – Metal Meeting
12/14 – London – Beyond The Past