Album Review: A Dream of Wilderness by Aephanemer (Napalm Records)

The rising force that is Aephanemer return with their third full length album, A Dream of Wilderness, due for release on the 19th of November 2021 via Napalm Records.

Following up their second release, the immense Prokopton, must surely be a daunting task. The then DIY band were already gathering a decent following before Prokopton happened but really that album rocketed them to insane new heights. It also saw them picked up by Napalm Records which again shows the strength of the trajectory because of how damn good Prokopton is.

Aephanemer is one of the most exciting melodic death metal sensations of the modern age. Fast-paced metal fronted by the guttural growls and fierce screams of extraordinary vocalist Marion Bacoul meet flickering twin leads. Displaying elements of Scandinavian melodeath, Slavic traditional music and epic synths. The uncategorisable blend of power metal, folk metal, death metal and melodic death metal captures the imagination in a profound way.

Aephanemer is Martin Hamiche on guitars, Marion Bascoul on vocals and guitars, Lucie Woaye Hune on bass and Mickaël Bonnevialle on drums.

The scene gets set with the exciting and teasing symphonic intro, Land of Hope. A 90 seconds long instrumental with a little choir backing that leads pretty much directly into the single, Antigone. While at first it sounds very reminiscent of previous songs, there is evolution on show. There is definitely a bit more from the symphonic side with a wonderfully layered backdrop beh9nd the thunderous rhythm and sweeping guitars. As well as that, we get our first taste of vocalist Marion utilising her classical training and seamlessly switching from growled to operatic. It works wonderfully, adding another layer to an already multi layered band. Of course, one of Aephanemer’s selling points is their twin lead guitar mastery and Antigone shows that off well with plenty of catchy leads and a cracking solo.

Of Volition leads in with a soft melody before a switch to a chuggy riff with a touch more symphonic epicness. The drums are on fire creating the perfect foundation alongside the bass to allow the guitars to shine. Its a fast, heavy number with typically catchy pace and rhythm. The lead guitars are blazing as always but it is the drop down to the chugging riff that really hooks me here.

Le Radeau de La Méduse (The Raft of Medusa) is a wonderful song. Keeping up that Aephanemer energy, it blazes straight into life with grandeur. The symphonic backing is used at just the right level while the guitars blaze a fiery lead. The rhythm section, often not instantly noticed is so important to Aephanemer’s sound and hearing the drums and bass pound out at speed here really shows the talent they have in Lucie and Mickaël. We get a touch more of the classical vocals in this song that demands attention, raises a smile and gets your head banging.

Roots and Leaves raises the epic nature to higher levels with the huge sounding choir and orchestral intro before it kicks off in dramatic fashion with speed and intensity to leave you shaken. The drums rain fire, the bass slams hard – it’s a banger. The chorus is special too, bringing a contrast between the growled leads and eerie choir backing. I love it. The middle segment sees the band drop down into symphonic tones with a touch of bass. It feels emotional and special, setting the scene for the metal to launch back in with power and passion. Vague à l’âme breaks the album nicely with a small instrumental interlude. It still needs listening too though as Aephanemer interlude’s and instrumentals are often as brilliant and important as the songs surrounding them. A crying guitar calls out passionately in this one, backed by some gentle orchestral elements. It’s lovely.

Strider is a superb track, again. It seems to tell the story of a warrior who just refuses to give up. Something I am sure a lot of people and bands can relate to. Musically, you know what to expect. Powerful symphonic sounds blended beautifully with rip roaring melodeath. The pace switches a little with a slower punch in the verses. The chorus is superbly catchy and the half way drop to an epic orchestral section is mesmerising. the first single, Panta Rhei, comes next and really ramps up the pace and energy. It flies out of the gate and never stops. The drums are brilliant, the melody hooks you in and the chorus sticks in your mind for the long term, again seeing the cleans come back in again.

So we reach the proper end, pre bonus tracks, with the title track, A Dream of Wilderness. While still holding it’s own identity, it is really a majestic showcase of all that Aephanemer are and all that A Dream of Wilderness is. The symphonic backing adds a grandiose feel, the guitars spread majesty over the tracks while th drums and bass apply the punch and power that gets your necks working. The vocals, while growled, still ring through with a welcome clarity. All of these items combining beautifully to create an exciting soundscape that toys with your emotions, leaves you feeling engaged and energised and just fucking rocks. It’s a fantastic song, up there with Roots and Leaves for my personal favourite.

A Dream of Wilderness isn’t quite finished there though with two bonus tracks available. The first is the band’s rendition of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Old French Song. A two a half minute romp of speedy folk like music. I don’t know the original but recognise the melody and it is a cracking little version full of blistering drums, thick bass, plenty of symphonic backing and blazing leads. The second is Le Radeau de La Méduse but in the band’s native French. If anything, it has a bit more magic despite my French being pretty dire. There is always something special in hearing a band sing in their native tongue and the feel of the song isn’t lost even if you don’t speak the language fluently.

In a way, I expected nothing less from this talented group but I must say A Dream of Wilderness is a majestic ride, managing to balance super fast heavy metal with symphonic and power metal beauty. A captivating combination that gives a feeling of grandeur and epicness while maintaining a core of fast melodeath. Aephanemer have no fear of genre boundaries. They do what works for them and the songs dabbling in symphonic metal, melodic death, power metal and more to create music that captivates and excites. A Dream of Wilderness is exactly that. A record of immense skill and talent that both captivates and excites from a band who seem to be growing from strength to strength with each passing release.

You can preorder a copy of A Dream of Wilderness now from Napalm Records.

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