Between anger, compassion, and transcendence
With “Cairn”, PARALLEL MINDS deliver their most ambitious and mature work to date. This modern, dense, and finely crafted album combines power, emotion, and technical mastery to explore a universal theme:
the human condition in the face of collective suffering.
Musically, the album shines with its versatility:
from sharp, aggressive prog metal in “Sufero,” reminiscent of Symphony X, to uncompromising Testament-like thrash fury in “Fear Is The Pandemic,” to the epic grandeur of Blind Guardian-esque anthems like ‘Sekigahara’ and “Troubles.”
Each song by the French band opens a window to a country, a culture.
Thus, “Cairn” brings together a whole range of artists from all over the world:
the tribal and spiritual intensity of Arka’n Asrafokor and Silveira Lakoélé Atalawoè (Togo) alongside leading names from the French scene such as Asylum Pyre, Muhurta, and Stone Horns create a sound of rare richness and depth.
The band itself says:
“‘Step into feudal Japan with ‘Sekigahara’, our new track inspired by one of the most decisive battles in history. Blending epic tension with relentless energy, the song captures the intensity of war and the spirit of honor-bound warriors.
Razor-sharp riffs, blazing rhythms, and soaring melodies in the vein of Blind Guardian, ‘Sekigahara’ is a full-on sonic assault: fast, powerful, and immersive. Prepare to enter the battlefield!”
TRACKS
01. Cairn 01:31 ft Johann & Lu [Asylum Pyre]
02. Sufero 05:14 ft Johann & Lu [Asylum Pyre]
03. Orishas 07:39 ft Rock [Arka’n Asrafokor] & Lakoélé Atalawoé
04.Bhopal 05:41 ft Mathieu Gehin [Muhurta])
05. Trails Of Tears 09:14 ft Michael Rose
06. Sekigahara 06:28
07. Troubles 07:28
08.Colonias 03:56 ft Aileen & Gabriel Fradet
09. On Both Sides 09:22
10. Fear Is The Pandemic 04:38 ft DevF [Stone Horns]
total: 61:11 min.
The band itself says about the new album:
“‘Cairn’ was conceived as a true acoustic and visual journey and features first-class audio production and a carefully crafted visual identity. The first music video has already been released, with more to follow, expanding this immersive experience in which each song becomes a fragment of a larger story, a stone added to the monument.
At the heart of this album is the symbol of the cairn – those piles of stones left behind by travelers on their journey, a metaphor for building oneself up stone by stone and leaving a trail for those who come after. ‘Cairn’ is much more than an album. It is a comprehensive sensory experience. A celebration of human resilience. And a call to build our own cairns – so that we never lose our way.”
LINE-UP
Steph Fradet • Vocals
Greg Giraudo • Guitars
Fabien Peugeot • Bass
Eric Mannella • Drums
DISCOGRAPHY
2015 • Headlong Disaster • Full-length
2015 • Unplugged Disaster • EP
2015 • Spanish Disaster • Single
2019 • Every Hour Wounds... The Last One Kills • Full-length
2021 • No Fate • Single
2022 • Angel’s Battle • Single
2022 • Echoes From Afar • Full-length
2026 • Cairn • Full-length
