Empire de Mu: The Lotus Legacy (2026)

(34:25; M&O Music)




















Track list:
1. The Lotus Legacy 1:07
2. Arthefac 4:07
3. Ocean 0:38
4. Les Volontaires 4:26
5. Naga 4:19
6. Purvinituq 0:45
7. Inukshuk 4:10
8. Les Adorateurs du Soleil 4:25
9. Le Silence des Observateurs 1:14
10. Yakushima 4:43
11. Témoins du Déclin 4:31

Line-up:
Arianne Fleury - vocals
Michel Gagné Bouchard - drums
François Kelly - bass
Rob Henx - guitars 


Canadian band Empire De Mu started out back in 2016, and self released their debut album "Spiritual Demise" 4 years later. With a remastered edition of that album appearing in 2023. Since then the band has signed to French label M&O Music, who released their second album "The Lotus Legacy"

It is a tight, firm and hard variety of extreme metal that appear to be the main focus for the landscapes explored on this second full length album by the band. Quick alterations in pace, subtle as well as more overt, is one of the defining aspects of this production, with a sound in general and a guitar sound in particular that hone in on a hard, tight and vibrant sound. And with all instrument details being very precise throughout.

We do get occasional slower paced interludes, detours into a bit more of a thrash metal sound, as well as occasional dirtier and more brutal guitar sounds adding additional flavor and variety to these landscapes though, as well as very occasional gentle interludes. We also get a handful of more atmospheric laden, careful and cinematic interludes between the songs, some of which are highly intriguing and interesting creations in their own right.

A particular identity trait of this band are the lead vocals of course, with singer Arianne Fleury smoothly alternating between operatic, theatrical vocal displays, sultry melodic vocal deliveries and a harder, colder spoken word execution. With the operatic vocals by and large being dominant. The contrast between the more theatrical, older vocal technique and the more contemporary and hard musical expression obviously being one of the more striking features of this band.

For my sake I suspect that this band and this album may have a little bit more of a niche appeal. But for those who are equally fond of extreme metal and female operatic lead vocals, this album may be experienced as quite the charming experience indeed.

Olav M. Björnsen, October 2026

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

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