Manuel Gagneux is best known for his work fronting metal band Zeal & Ardor; however, his solo output under the identity Birdmask pre-dates Zeal & Ardor, with Gagneux creating music under this persona since 2011. It cannot be overstated that Gagneux is a hugely underrated artist, given his propensity to get creative and not conform to the parameters of a specified genre. His latest EP, Tristan, is the first of a two-part release, with the second half, Isolde, planned for early 2024. Birdmask, whilst maintaining subtle familiarities with Zeal & Ardor, is very different in its approach to songwriting. Every song on this EP is emotionally driven, with a melancholy beauty behind each tune. At many points throughout, the moments of levity are restrained from becoming grand epic momen...