Montreal progressive rock outfit KARCIUS have unveiled the official video for „Rise,“ the third and final single ahead of their forthcoming album Black Soul Sickness. Due May 8 on vinyl, CD, and digital formats, the record marks the seventh studio effort from the Canadian quartet and concludes a trilogy begun with The Fold in 2018. Praised by ProgArchives as standing among the best modern progressive bands in the world, KARCIUS continue to push the boundaries of cinematic, heavy progressive rock.Montreal-based progressive rock force KARCIUS have released the official video for „Rise,“ the third and final single from their forthcoming album Black Soul Sickness, set for release on May 8 via independent channels on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
Black Soul Sickness serves as Part III of a trilogy that began with The Fold (2018) and continued through the critically acclaimed Grey White Silver Yellow and Gold (2022), the latter of which was named the number one Progressive-Metal and Heavy-Prog album of 2022 by DPRP.net and described by The Progspace as „a masterclass in dynamic storytelling and sonic exploration.“
The seventh studio album from KARCIUS is an introspective voyage confronting themes of loss, obsession, and rebirth. Recorded in and around Montreal at Wild Studio in Saint Zenon and Oakloor Studio in Sainte Sophie, the record was produced entirely by the band and mixed by guitarist and principal composer Simon L’Esperance. Mastering duties were handled by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden.
At the core of KARCIUS lies the collective interplay between Sylvain Auclair on vocals and bass, Sebastien Cloutier on keyboards, Thomas Brodeur on drums, and Simon L’Esperance on guitars. The album weaves together cinematic progressive rock, the intensity of metal, and the emotional depth of post-rock, drawing influence from the sonic ambition of Pink Floyd, the angular intensity of King Crimson, the modern depth of Porcupine Tree, and the darkness of Opeth.
The seven-track record features previously released singles „Out of Nothing“ and „Darkest Heir“ alongside „Rise,“ and is available for pre-order and pre-save now via Bandcamp and digital platforms. KARCIUS does not follow trends — they carve their own path, loud, intricate, and unapologetically progressive.
Photo: Thierry Lord