Inscendium – The Awakening

Inscendium
The Awakening
Label: M.U.S.I.C. Records
Out: March 14^th, 2025
Playing time: 25:11

It all started in a small café in Arlon (Belgium, Wallonia region, province of Luxembourg). Jam sessions were held there on Fridays and Saturdays until the café closed. Four musicians – obviously returning guests at these events – decided to form their own band. It was called Inscendium. That was in 2020, and their music is a mixture of powerful Pop-Rock and hard melodic Metal. The band is now ready to unleash their debut EP ‘The Awakening’ on the fans.

The guitars fry at the beginning of ‘The Path’. Together with the entire rhythm section, Véronique Freres’ powerful vocals kick in. Later on, she also belts out some nasty growls. The transition between these and the clear vocals is seamless. Hard Rock with a strong alternative edge. Hard riffs bang at the end. Clean guitars and rhythmic drums introduce ‘Redemption’. Later, the guitars sound heavily distorted. Veronique’s vocals are calm and in the lower ranges. But quiet in the long run – she probably doesn’t like that. ‘A Ray Of Hope’ is then played faster again. The drums and riffs in particular are driving. This makes the vocals sound a little hectic at times, and we hear the alternation between growls and occasionally slightly weird-sounding clear vocals again. Later, there are quieter guitar melodies. Rhythmic drums and a powerful bass melody – that’s how ‘Self Control’ starts. Then the hard riffs dominate again. Before the drums and guitar increase the tempo considerably. A song with a strong progressive flavour. Once again, the singer screams her heart out. ‘Black Rise’ is characterised by the riffs of lower tuned guitars. Veronique sings again with a darker timbre. Kilian Vivier performs an impressive guitar solo. After so much almost archaic elemental force, ‘All Alone’ starts as a ballad. Mrs Freres shows her contemplative side. But no, the Belgians can’t really be quiet. Evil growls, hard riffs, booming bass and powerful drums also characterise the last song on this EP.

The Awakening’ is dominated by raw, unspoilt Hard Rock, far away from the mainstream. Front belter Véronique Freres in particular contributes to this with her evil growls. But the guitar, bass and drums also deliver this rawness and support the frontwoman. Inscendium can build on this EP. I’m already looking forward to further releases.

Inscendium – A Ray of Hope: https://youtu.be/V9yPo_w85Uk?si=0pUkD_0e3HcO2oPw

Lineup:

Véronique Freres – Lead Vocals
Marty Poncin – Bass
Isaac Smith – Drums
Kilian Vivier – Guitars

Track list:

• The Path
• Redemption
• A Ray of Hope
• Self Control
• Black Rise
• All Alone