Raphael Weinroth-Browne – Empyrean
Release Date: 11th September 2026
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Modern Contemporary Classical, Post-Rock.
FFO: Bach, Apocalyptica, Musk Ox, 2CELLOS, Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
Review By: Aeons Burning
What’s this, you ask? I’m reviewing a non metal record? ON A METAL REVIEW SITE?! Before you bring out the pitchforks and demand for my resignation, I implore you to calm down and give the third record by Canadian accomplished cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne, titled Empyrean, a listen. This is one of the most interesting non-metal releases I’ve listened to this year not because the only instrument present is the cello, but Weinroth-Browne has an exceptional talent at making the cello not only the lead sound, but also the percussive and bass sections for something truly innovative. Much like his record last year, Lifeblood, Empyrean is completely instrumental, but this does not mean there’s nothing to be found here. If anything, the total absence of vocals makes the cello’s beautiful tones that much more pronounced, and I find myself coming back to this more and more while discovering new bits hidden underneath everything each time.
The cello is one of my personal favorite instruments, because of how versatile it can be. Take a band like Apocalyptica, for example. They pretty much popularized the idea that the cello can in fact be used in rock and metal, with their earliest material (and also the time I saw them) being Metallica covers. Raphael Weinroth-Browne also proves that the cello is a completely viable metal and rock instrument, as Empyrean has many structures to it that are also quite common in more emotive post rock and in post metal, such as the soaring crescendoes on album highlight Dissolution. This song has potential non-metal Song of the Year quality for me because it is a perfect soundtrack to the ever-increasing chaos of the world around us, with the soaring crescendoes in the middle gently fading into a sea of reverb-heavy cello noise by the end. The Apocalyptica influence is also quite noticeable on Reflection, which gives strong Worlds Collide-era vibes due to how Weinroth-Browne utilizes the cello as a percussive instrument. I am enamored by how completely different Empyrean sounds to any other non-metal record I’ve listened to this year, and it’s hard for me to put it down.
To no one’s surprise, Empyrean is a great album and a brilliant successor to Lifeblood. I hope Raphael Weinroth-Browne continues to innovate in this field, because this is one of the most enjoyable and downright beautiful contemporary classical records I’ve listened to in quite some time. I can’t recommend this enough, and for someone who wants to hear something a little different and isn’t deterred by the absence of lyrics, please give this a shot.
(4 / 5)
