Hello Metalheads! This is John back with another album review, this time I have Detachment from Reality by Empyrean Sanctum. This album is being released in April 18th, 2025 and is their first since 2013. Empyrean Sanctum classifies themselves as a cinematic progressive metal.
I first found this project when Justin Kellerman posted in the death metal sharing group on Facebook that I follow. While this may not be death metal, this album features to well known death metal instrumentalists. Hannes Grossmann did the drums on this album and he is a technical death metal giant. Alex Weber who was previously with Obscura and recently joined up with Revocation plays bass. To be honest those names really pulled my attention in at first. The other member is Albert Rybka who is the singer, he has involved in several projects as well.
This whole album is one whole concept about emotional and mental inner struggles. I was exchanging messages with Justin and he explained to me that this project has been his outlet for his thoughts and feelings for many years. This is such a cool skill and form of expression to have. He said he also has more music rolling through his head and we should expect more music. I feel as though the listener can really feel that every track is packed full of expression.
One of the first things that really stood out to me during my first listen is just how pleasing the whole mix is to my ears. Everything is clearly heard, nothing is muddy and the shear amount of detail jam packed is great. The vocals from Albert also have a very distinct sound that I really enjoy. He has this almost operatic quality to his voice. He has the vibrato during the held notes and power going in every word that is great.
The seventh track on this album is Lifeless Death and musically it is my favorite track. The keyboard arpeggios over top of the groove for a huge portion of this track are so haunting sounding. They give the track such a foreboding quality, which does make sense because of the lyrically content. This song deals with suicidal thoughts. The other great part of this track is the instrumental break for the last 2:30 of the track! It has a djent influenced start before breaking off into some really great unison shredding. The djent returns and has this constant heavy weighted feeling.
This album really pulls the listener in and explains the thoughts and feelings that Justin was having at the time of writing this whole work. The way it melds together in cohesive way really adds a ton to its value. I would give this album a 8.5/10 on my rating scale. I will continue to listen and follow this project very slowly for sure! As always if you like this review don’t forget to stream and even buy the album! Links to streaming and socials will be listed below!
https://empyreansanctum.bandcamp.com/album/detachment-from-reality
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3WXEmmCAKKexeeVmgRLqTc?si=XDEv9Pm1R6qx8cgAknWOwg
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BoXXr7Vy1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/empyrean-sanctum/1097175241