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Album Review – Aephanemer / Utopie (2025)

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France’s own Symphonic and Melodic Death Metal powerhouse strikes back with their fourth studio offering, an ambitious, razor-sharp assault of epic melodies, relentless speed, and philosophical depth.

Following the roaring success of their previous albums Memento Mori (2016), Prokopton (2019), and A Dream Of Wilderness (2021), Toulouse, France-based Symphonic/Melodic Death Metal powerhouse Aephanemer strikes back with their fourth studio offering, entitled Utopie, or “utopia” in English, an ambitious, razor-sharp assault of epic melodies, relentless speed, and philosophical depth. Mixed by Dan Swanö at Unisound, mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios, with vocals recorded by Yannick Tournier at Waïti Studios, and displaying a stylish artwork by Niklas Sundin, the newborn beast by Marion Bascoul on vocals, Martin Hamiche on the guitars, bass and orchestrations, and Mickaël Bonnevialle on drums surges with heavier classical influences, blistering riffage, Slavic folk undertones, and majestic orchestrations, shaping a sound that feels both ancient and forward-looking while engaging with the concept of utopia not as escape, but confrontation, questioning ideals through the sheer force of sonic precision, and the quest for a world of harmony between living beings.

The album starts in a serene manner with Échos d’un Monde Perdu, or “echoes of a lost world” in English, a cinematic intro that warms us up for Le Cimetière Marin (which title and a couple of verses were borrowed from a poem by Paul Valéry), or “the graveyard by the sea”, with Marion’s harsh vocals walking hand in hand with the striking riffs, keys and orchestrations by Martin. Then Mickaël sounds ruthless behind his drums in La Règle du Jeu, or “the rules of the game”, offering Marion exactly what she needs to kick some ass on vocals in a lecture in Symphonic Death Metal; and their metallic feast goes on in full force in Par-delà le Mur des Siècles, or “beyond the wall of ages”, again presenting intricate, melodic and absolutely electrifying guitar lines and orchestrations by Martin. After such a magnificent tune we have Chimère, the French word for “chimera”, another epic, no shenanigans tune by those French metallers, with Mickaël stealing the spotlight again with his unstoppable beats and fills.

The band shows no sign of slowing down at all in Contrepoint, or “counterpoint”, delivering a breathtaking fusion of Melodic and Symphonic Death Metal led by the venomous roars by Marion and the always incendiary riffs by Martin, whereas La Rivière Souterraine, or “the underground river”, starts like the score to an epic movie thanks to the amazing job done by Martin with his orchestrations, before exploding into eight minutes of sheer instrumental brilliance. Lastly, we’re treated to the album’s phenomenal two-part title-track, starting with Utopie (Partie I), where their cinematic vein pulses harder than ever before Marion comes ripping with her deep, inhumane harsh vociferations, flowing majestically into Utopie (Partie II), where the imposing wall of sounds crafted by Martin and Mickaël surpass all barriers of epicness, all of course spiced up by another thrilling performance by Marion on vocals, ending the album on an atmospheric, climatic and beautiful way.

In a nutshell, Aephanemer continue to carve their own path in the Symphonic and Melodic Death Metal landscape with Utopie, sounding faster, more epic, brutal and classical than ever, and you can join those beyond talented French metallers in their quest for heavy music via Facebook and Instagram, stream their awesome discography on Spotify, and of course purchase Utopie from their own BandCamp or webstore, as well as from Napalm Records or by clicking HERE or HERE. Utopie is more than just an album, it’s a storm of sound, a philosophical reckoning, and a powerful new chapter from one of Europe’s most vital and visionary metal bands, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in their striking career after such an amazing lecture in modern-day Melodic Death Metal.

Best moments of the album: La Règle du Jeu, Par-delà le Mur des Siècles, Contrepoint and Utopie (Partie II).

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Napalm Records

Track listing
1. Échos d’un Monde Perdu 1:16
2. Le Cimetière Marin 5:30
3. La Règle du Jeu 3:53
4. Par-delà le Mur des Siècles 5:14
5. Chimère 4:22
6. Contrepoint 4:31
7. La Rivière Souterraine 8:29
8. Utopie (Partie I) 7:55
9. Utopie (Partie II) 9:38

Band members
Marion Bascoul – vocals
Martin Hamiche – guitars, bass, orchestrations
Mickaël Bonnevialle – drums

Album Review – Lutharo / Chasing Euphoria (2024)

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One of the must-see names of the current Canadian scene is back with their breathtaking sophomore album, sounding as destructive and violent as it is soaring and captivating.

Bringing forth their signature mixture of traditional Heavy Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Thrash Metal and more, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada-based Melodic Death Metal outfit Lutharo returns with their sophomore opus (and strongest effort to date), titled Chasing Euphoria, following up on their critically acclaimed 2021 debut Hiraeth. Recorded by drummer Cory Hofing at Coho Studio, with additional recording by Thomas Ireland and mixing and mastering by Lasse Lammert of LSD Studio, and showcasing a stunning artwork by Swedish artist Niklas Sundin, Chasing Euphoria is as destructive and violent as it is soaring and captivating, inspiring us all for some vigorous headbanging, boisterous pits and chanting singalongs together with frontwoman Krista Shipperbottom, guitarist Victor Bucur, bassist Chris Pacey and the aforementioned drummer Cory Hofing.

The epic, cinematic intro Gates of Enchantment will set the stage for Krista and the boys to crush our souls in Reaper’s Call, presenting an amazing guitar job by Victor that sets fire to their music in the name of Melodic Death Metal, therefore resulting in a beyond thrilling start to the album. Their violent yet very melodious sounds keep hammering our cranial skulls in Ruthless Bloodline, with Cory dictating the song’s galloping pace with his heavy beats accompanied by the metallic bass by Chris; and get ready for another blast of sick riffs, thunderous bass and unstoppable drums in Time to Rise, with Krista once again showcasing all her vocal range with both her clean vocals and she-demon roars. In Born to Ride we’re treated to pure metal lyrics roared by Krista (“We’re striking the lights out stately / Let the banners fly / Sights never guided me before just stifled my might / Short circuited odds and judgment / With victory to taste / When the blind leads the blind, / You’re at the edge of a blade”) amidst a beyond exciting and incendiary sound perfect for hitting the highway, followed by Bonded to the Blade, a good song albeit not as dynamic as the rest of the album. Victor continues to deliver sheer adrenaline through his riffs and solos, though.

The title-track Chasing Euphoria will bring to our avid ears more of the band’s modern-day, electrifying Melodic Death Metal, with the soaring vocals by Krista walking hand in hand with the massive wall of sounds crafted by her bandmates; and the band then enhances their epicness to a whole new level in Creating a King, offering more of their crystal clear, visceral melodeath with Cory pounding his drums mercilessly from start to finish, resulting in the perfect song for some sick headbanging. There’s no sign of the band slowing down at all, as Strong Enough to Fall is another feast of Canadian Melodic Death Metal with the striking riffs and solos by Victor sounding venomous, enfolding us all in a Heavy Metal embrace. A futuristic start quickly evolves into a straightforward Melodic Death Metal attack by Lutharo in Paradise or Parasite, where Krista keeps delivering her trademark hypnotizing vocal lines while Chris and Cory build a strong base boosted by the song’s background orchestral elements; whereas the doomed bass by Chris ignites the closing tune of the album, titled Freedom of the Night, offering the listener seven minutes of fast-paced riffs and beats and the always sharp yet charming vocals by Krista, or in other words, it’s a more introspective creation by the band putting a climatic finale to their metallic feast.

Lutharo Chasing Euphoria Ultimate Bundle

Lutharo are definitely going places armed with Chasing Euphoria (both figuratively and literally speaking, as they’re gearing up for a massive tour across the United States and Canada), and if you want to show such awesome band from the current Canadian metal scene your utmost support, you can start following them on Facebook and on Instagram, always keeping an eye on their tour dates, subscribe to their YouTube channel and stream more of their breathtaking music on Spotify, and above all that, grab a copy of Chasing Euphoria from their own official website (including the more-than-special Chasing Euphoria ultimate bundle, featuring the album on limited edition pink and blue marble vinyl, a limited edition signed photo, an album T-shirt, a “Time To Rise” patch, a battle flag, and limited edition guitar picks), or you can also find your favorite version of the album by clicking HERE or HERE. Lutharo are definitely going to make a lot of noise worldwide armed with their new album, a cacophony of all that is metal, always chasing euphoria and inspiring us to bang our heads nonstop to the music by one of the best bands of the contemporary Canadian scene.

Best moments of the album: Reaper’s Call, Born to Ride, Creating a King and Paradise or Parasite.

Worst moments of the album: Bonded to the Blade.

Released in 2024 Atomic Fire Records

Track listing
1. Gates of Enchantment 1:13
2. Reaper’s Call 4:00
3. Ruthless Bloodline 4:12
4. Time to Rise 4:21
5. Born to Ride 3:52
6. Bonded to the Blade 4:33
7. Chasing Euphoria 4:31
8. Creating a King 4:08
9. Strong Enough to Fall 4:56
10. Paradise or Parasite 5:07
11. Freedom of the Night 6:45

Band members
Krista Shipperbottom – vocals
Victor Bucur – guitars, backing vocals
Chris Pacey – bass
Cory Hofing – drums

Guest musician
Jeff Wilson – guitars (Live)

Album Review – Intercepting Pattern / The Encounter (2020)

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A free-flowing 30-minute long composition ebbing and flowing between heavy syncopated grooves, Jazz fusion flourishes, ethereal synth-layered passages and cybernetic Death Metal.

Formed in 2016 in the city of Berlin, Germany, a distinguished Progressive Metal unity known as Intercepting Pattern is comprised of vocalist Daniel Sander, guitarist and keyboardist Marte Auer, bassist Clemens Engert and drummer Lille Gruber, all seasoned musicians known for their time in projects such as Defeated Sanity, Infecting the Swarm and Cerebric Turmoil. Produced, mixed & mastered by Tom ‘Fountainhead’ Geldschläger at FountainheadHQ and featuring a stunning artwork by Niklas Sundin (Mitochondrial Sun, Dark Tranquillity), Intercepting Pattern’s debut effort, entitled The Encounter, was created and designed as one free-flowing 30-minute long genre-bending composition, ebbing and flowing between heavy syncopated grooves, Jazz fusion flourishes, ethereal synth-layered passages and cybernetic Death Metal with seamless ease, appealing to fans of groups such as Meshuggah, Cynic and Panzerballett, among others. For release purposes, The Encounter is split into 10 “song” sections, although it is strongly suggested to listen to it in one session as it was intended when being created.

Clearly inspired by classic TV shows and movies that dealt with alien forms of life, the opening track Extragalactic Radio presents Lille and Clemens bringing endless groove and intricacy to the music with their beats and bass punches while Marte adds a touch of finesse to the overall result with his riffs and solos, flowing into the Progressive Death Metal feast titled Signal-to-Noise, where Daniel fires anguished, raspy roars accompanied by the always blazing guitars by Marte, resulting in an excellent option for breaking your neck headbanging. And their mysterious, otherworldly story goes on in Interlude I, an atmospheric and futuristic creation by Intercepting Pattern that will certainly send shivers down your spine before Eigenlicht offers us all Jazz and Blues united with the band’s hybrid of Progressive and Groove Metal, or in other words, a complex and extremely enjoyable tune where Marte and Lille are in absolute sync with their incendiary riffs and beats, whereas Hypnagogia is another wicked instrumental creation by the quartet with Clemens’ bass jabs making your head tremble in awe, all spiced up by background voices and ethereal keys, and running smoothly until its whimsical conclusion.

Interlude II is a cinematic bridge created to keep the listener hypnotized and eager for what’s next, as Daniel returns in full force with his rabid growls in Rebiogenesis, with the band’s razor-edged guitars and rumbling bass together with the sick drums by Lille generating a multi-layered wall of sounds for our total delectation. Then featuring guest Jimmy Pitts (Eternity’s End, Eynomia, NorthTale, NYN, The Fractured Dimension) on keyboards we have Fuga Finalis, an explosion of Progressive Groove Metal infused with Jazz and other idiosyncratic sounds and tones. Not only that, can you feel the anger bursting from Daniel’s roars? It’s sick and amazing at the same time, of course. And the music makes an instant bridge with the also demented and progressive Asmodeus, sounding as bold and weird as possible while led by the jamming beats by Lille, being therefore highly recommended for musicians who love the fusion of metal and Jazz, before the outro Epilogue ends the album in a cryptic and again atmospheric manner, with its instrumental pieces exhaling melancholy and heaviness until all is said and done.

“Having played in various metal bands before, we were kind of drawn to modern jazz and fusion records at the time and wanted to challenge ourselves with a more complex and improvisational approach to music. Of course, being the metal kids that we are, we couldn’t totally hide from our roots, but overall we tried to emphasize extended harmonic concepts and recurring rhythmic motives common to a Jazz/Fusion context”, commented the band about their newborn spawn, and after listening to the album in its entirety it’s easy to understand exactly what they wanted to accomplish in The Encounter. Needless to say, they more than succeeded in their quest, and if you want to give Intercepting Pattern a try you can grab your copy of The Encounter from the Rising Nemesis Records’ BandCamp page, and soon also from the Rising Nemesis Records’ Big Cartel and from IndieMerchstore. You can also get to know more about the band by following them on Facebook, showing your appreciation for their wicked hybrid of Heavy Metal and Jazz, and inspiring them to keep exploring the outer space and alien life with their refined music for many years to come.

Best moments of the album: Signal-to-Noise, Rebiogenesis and Fuga Finalis.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2020 Rising Nemesis Records

Track listing
1. Extragalactic Radio 3:26
2. Signal-to-Noise 1:56
3. Interlude I 1:38
4. Eigenlicht 3:07
5. Hypnagogia 3:56
6. Interlude II 1:46
7. Rebiogenesis 4:48
8. Fuga Finalis 2:34
9. Asmodeus 4:35
10. Epilogue 2:15

Band members
Daniel Sander – vocals
Marte Auer – guitars, synths
Clemens Engert – bass
Lille Gruber – drums

Guest musician
Jimmy Pitts – guest keyboards solo on “Fuga Finalis”

Album Review – Aephanemer / Prokopton (2019)

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Blending the fury and harmony of Scandinavian metal with symphonic elements, here comes a French Melodic Death Metal unity ready to show the world what they got with their sophomore album.

If you’re a fan of modern-day Melodic Death Metal the likes of Arch Enemy, The Agonist, In Flames and Soilwork, I’m sure you’ll love the music found in Prokopton, the sophomore full-length album by French metallers Aephanemer. Blending the fury and harmony of the traditional Scandinavian sound from the Gothenburg scene with several distinct symphonic and epic elements, this talented French four-piece army will captivate your senses with the potency, speed and intricacy found in each one of the eight tracks of their brand new opus, positioning them as one of the most interesting and promising names not only of the current metal scene in their homeland France, but anywhere else in the world where the modernity and specially the intensity of Melodic Death Metal are truly appreciated.

Formed in 2013 in Toulouse, capital of France’s southern Occitanie region, as a one-man band by guitarist Martin Hamiche to release six instrumental pieces inspired by his Scandinavian Melodic Death Metal heroes (with the 2014 EP Know Thyself being forged of those six songs), Aephanemer, which is the merger of the French words “éphémère” (ephemeral) and “fânée” (folded), have been making a name for themselves since becoming a full-bodied group in 2015 when vocalist and guitarist Marion Bascoul, bassist Anthony Delmas (replaced by Lucie Woaye Hune in 2017) and drummer Mickaël Bonnevialle joined Martin in his quest for heavy music. Featuring a classy artwork by Niklas Sundin (Cabin Fever Media), mixed by Dan Swanö (Unisound AB) and mastered by Mika Jussila (Finnvox Studios), Prokopton is an amalgamation of everything the band stands for and what we can expect from them in the future, sounding as exciting as it can be from start to finish.

An epic, Arch Enemy-inspired intro morphs into a more symphonic version of Melodic Death Metal led by Martin’s razor-edged riffs and Marion’s demonic roars in the title-track Prokopton, flowing flawlessly like an arrow high in the sky until its grand finale; whereas  background orchestrations set the tone for the also inspiring The Sovereign, where Mickaël dictates the rhythm with his precise beats while Marion, Martin and Lucie offer the listener a feast of flammable sounds. Epicness keeps flowing from their music in Dissonance Within, another dense, multi-layered composition bringing the best elements from Symphonic and Melodic Death Metal where Marion growls its rebellious lyrics like a she-demon (“Time to fight, no backing down / For I will have no rest until my skill prevails / Disembodied, a whistling sound / The singing of my blade ravages the plain”), and flirting with Symphonic Black Metal at times, Snowblind is a fun headbanging extravaganza with highlights to the pounding drums by Mickaël and another thunderous performance by Marion on vocals, not to mention the song’s majestic atmosphere.

At Eternity’s Gate is an instrumental bridge the likes of Gamma Ray and Arch Enemy that sets the stage for the thrilling Back Again, perfect for slamming into the pit and enjoying a cold pint of beer while the quartet crushes our heads with their instruments, with the band’s stringed trio being in absolute (and totally awesome) sync. In the very progressive, intricate and exciting Bloodline, Marion takes the lead with her Black Metal-like gnarls while the rest of the crew doesn’t let the electricity go down, firing stunning guitar riffs and solos, thunderous bass punches and smashing beats. And last but not least, in the dark and imposing If I Should Die poetry flows majestically form its lyrics (“Maybe it is going to take me nowhere / But I reckon not having to go anywhere / I don’t keep any illusion to hold dear / I just need to be ready to disappear / Void comes from the self alone / Fear from what we believe we own / Stoics across time give an advice / May death be daily before our eyes”) while all band members showcase their refined skills, resulting in a hybrid of a metal opera with the devastation of extreme music.

In a nutshell, Aephanemer are ready to take you on a fun and thrilling music journey through the realms of contemporary Melodic Death Metal with Prokopton, and all you have to do to join them is following the band on Facebook, subscribe to their YouTube channel, and obviously purchase their new album directly from their BandCamp page or from iTunes or Amazon, where by the way the album comes with instrumental versions for each and every song as a beyond special bonus from the band to you. Mr. Martin Hamiche had a dream when he started Aephanemer, and now based on the high quality of the music found in Prokopton we can say without a shadow of a doubt that dreams not only do come true, but sometimes they also kick some serious ass for our total delectation.

Best moments of the album: The Sovereign, Dissonance Within and Bloodline.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2019 Primeval Records

Track listing
1. Prokopton 5:13
2. The Sovereign 5:17
3. Dissonance Within 6:12
4. Snowblind 4:24
5. At Eternity’s Gate 2:55
6. Back Again 5:50
7. Bloodline 5:29
8. If I Should Die 9:08

Band members
Marion Bascoul – vocals, rhythm guitar
Martin Hamiche – lead guitar
Lucie Woaye-Hune – bass
Mickaël Bonnevialle – drums