Aephanemer – Utopie
Release Date: 31st October 2025
Label: Napalm Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Symphonic Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Symphonic Black Metal, Power Metal, Folk Metal.
FFO: Byrmir, Kalmah, Mors Principium Est, Duskmourn, Shylmagoghnar, Yngwie Malmsteen.
Review By: Rick Farley
“Following the roaring success of their last album A Dream of Wilderness (2021), Toulouse-based symphonic death metal powerhouse Aephanemer strikes back with their fourth studio offering, Utopie – an ambitious, razor sharp assault of epic melodies, relentless speed, and philosophical depth.
Blending fast-paced melodic death metal with cinematic grandeur and the visceral intensity of extreme vocals, Utopie sees the trio push their sound into bold new territory. Fronted by the ferocious growls and commanding presence of Marion Bacoul, the band delivers a record that is both fiercely technical and emotionally immersive – rooted in the urgency of modern times yet elevated by mythic scale.”
Obviously as a reviewer I read the press release and then of course forge my own words about the band/album within the review context, but to say this person I quoted absolutely nailed the essence of this record already is an understatement. I couldn’t have said it any better myself. So, with that, here’s my feeble attempt at introducing you to or possibly just further acknowledging what you may already know. Aephanemer is pretty fucking epic, and you should be paying attention.
Full of powerful, dramatic cinematic melodies deeply based in classical music under the guise of melodic/symphonic death metal with creative flourishes of black metal, power metal and folk scattered throughout. Utopie is a deeply fulfilling record for those of you who want insane shred that’s melodic as well as smart, mammoth symphonic orchestrations with glorious majesty, and bold, death metal ferocity. The urgency of the pace combined with the hookiness of the melodies and the heavy lean towards neoclassical musicality gives this band what could be described as an orchestrally richer, sleeker version of Kalmah meets Yngwie Malmsteen. Obviously, this doesn’t describe the bands full soundscape, but at least it’s a decent starting point if you’re completely new. However, Aephanemer is very much its own thing.
Le Cimetière Marin kicks off after a brief instrumental with searing lead guitars, and ghostly keys dancing in the background. Triumphant melodies backed by pulsing bass and crisp guitar riffs. The grimy raspiness of the vocals combined with the track’s playfulness sounds like a mythic folklore creature roaming in a meadow with the mountainous terrain in the background. Its devilish intent on full display. The tracks hostility is counterbalanced by spirited opulence, which makes it an intoxicating listen. The bouncy symphonic, folky elements of Contrepoint blended with blistering death metal is ridiculously fun as well as memorable. Bits of black metal arrangements rears their ugly head in the form of writhing guitars and blast beats, but never goes too far against the brilliant lustre of the album. It’s slightly darkened but enhances the tremendous feeling of splendour more so than just sounding like the usual good vs evil tropes. La Rivière Souterraine uses spirited piano melodies and lead guitars that follow before a sombre cinematic interlude guides you into an eruption of heavy guitars, thick low end, and galloped rhythms. This eight plus minute instrumental takes the listener on a journey that’s full of twist and turns, sombre valleys, emotional depth, and euphoric musical peaks. You’ll barely feel its runtime and is essential to the records fully fleshed out harmonious euphony. You’ll find yourself lost in the dreamy world of Utopie created by its shimmering beauty and devilish aggression. The sharp musical precision and striking complexity never feels overbearing but remains bold and full of exuberance.
The impressiveness of Utopie is also backed by crisp, modern production. It’s rich and deeply focused on every element sounding its best, as well as having pristine clarity. It doesn’t come off as sterile, it absolutely has organic life to it, but it’s deftly smooth and is deserving of being mentioned. Recorded by Yannick Tournier at Waïti Studios with mixing by Dan Swanö at Unisound UG and mastering by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios, this record will ignite your auditory senses as well as emotionally and physically. Aephanemer has gifted us a with a modern day neoclassical, death metal tour de force.
(4.5 / 5)
