Lethernal Utopia - 2025 - Illusion of Time

(46:06; M&O Music)






















Track list:
1. Illusion of Time 3:08
2. Glitch 4:40
3. We Are 4:07
4. Samsara 5:40
5. Monsters 4:46
6. Echoes 5:08
7. Crossroads of Time 4:54
8. One Last Breath 4:42
9. Apocalypse 4:37
10. Live to Die 4:24

Line-up:
Adrien Alvarez - vocals, guitars
Sacha Guitteny - guitars
Alex Bonnet - drums
Jay Balcou - bass


French band Lethernal Utopia were formed back in 2023, and following some initial single releases the foursome released their debut album "Illusion of Time" through French label M&O Music in the fall of 2025.

It is an intriguing take on the heavy metal style we get in this case, provided by a band that appear to know their way around balancing contrasting elements in an efficient and interesting manner.

The compositions tend to come across as both powerful and majestic in scope, but also with a firm drive and an ongoing elegant feel, with more grim sounding elements having important roles throughout.

The ongoing elegance and flow comes by way of just about ever present melody and harmony details, an aspect of this band's sound that is a strong and clear identity mark. The rhythm guitar tends to opt for a darker and dirtier sound with a bit of a grim tone to it at times. The contrast between these two elements creating a dynamic and majestic presence that often comes across as majestic in scope. The main part of the lead vocals are of the grim and distorted variety, adding an element of extreme metal to the mix, with occasional use of clean vocals providing an additional dynamic element as well as variation.

In terms of style and expression the band are fond of circulating or repeated patterns that create a strong and consistent groove, and they alternate those tendencies with galloping tendencies that pull in traits from NWoBHM as well as power metal. The on and off switches between the main and secondary expression creating an efficient ebb and flow feeling to the landscapes explored.

On a select few songs we also get female operatic backing vocals that adds an additional contrast to the proceedings, and combined with occasional use of slightly exotic sounds and notes this expands upon the majestic feel of these compositions when those elements are present. As well as providing an ongoing subtly exotic undercurrent. 

This is an album that revolves around traditional heavy metal, but expands upon this foundation by making use of contrasting elements and more or less subtle details pulled in from power metal and extreme metal respectively. If this strikes you as an interesting take on the heavy metal legacy, chances are good that you'll find this to be a rather fascinating production.

Olav M. Björnsen, January 2026

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/lethernalutopia/
https://www.m-o-music.com/

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