Aephanemer are a melodic death metal band who, with their albums — and especially their third one, “A Dream of Wilderness” (2021) — have made many people sit up and take notice. Last year, we even had the chance to enjoy them live in an intense and powerful concert that opened many eyes, mine included! So, I was eagerly waiting for their new album. And now, it’s finally coming out in just a few days, under the title “Utopie” — and it leaves us speechless. The French band returns with an outstanding new record where they sound more inspired, heavier, faster, more epic, and more symphonic than ever before. The symphonic element in their new songs is so dominant that I would say it firmly places them in the realm of symphonic death metal. On “Utopie”, you’ll hear top-tier symphonic death metal — every track feels like a small symphony, every moment like part of a grand classical concert! But beyond the strong symphonic presence, what stands out is the astonishing guitar work and the excellent orchestration. Aephanemer have clearly put an incredible amount of effort into their arrangements. Add to that a few subtle black metal and folk touches, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what “Utopie” sounds like. We should also mention the tasteful and intelligent use of keyboards, which paint musical images of rare beauty. It’s crystal clear that this band from Toulouse has reached new artistic heights, following a unique and magnificent vision. I could talk for hours about this breathtaking album that is bound to shake the foundations of the symphonic metal scene! Filled with nothing but great moments, “Utopie” is undoubtedly one of the best albums of the year. Fans of bands like Therion, Edenbridge and Nightwish will absolutely love it. “Utopie” is an impressively crafted record — shaped with wisdom, passion, and attention to detail. A complete symphonic metal album that will stay with us for a long time. A very long time. Aephanemer’s utopia is here!
♦ 9/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
