Juliel | Aftermath | Self-Release

 

Release Date: 2024

Format: CD, Digital

Genre: Progressive Metal

Country: Germany

Juliel is the project of Bonn-born musician Juliane Ehl, an experienced guitarist, singer and songwriter who has been active since her teenage years. Having played in several bands including Insinerate and Candela, and having spent years performing in cover groups while teaching music, she eventually returned to her own long-conceived vision: a concept album exploring themes of destruction and renewal. After years of writing, recording and producing, the debut full-length “The Time Of The Ashes” was released in 2024. Ehl not only handled vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards and orchestral arrangements, but also designed the artwork and overall concept.

“The Time Of The Ashes” is a concept-driven progressive metal album with a strong narrative arc. It tells a story of catastrophe and survival, beginning with the impact of a meteorite and the descent into a nuclear winter, then guiding the listener toward glimpses of hope, strength and eventual rebirth. The ten tracks together form nearly an hour of music, shifting between heavy riff-driven sections, cinematic orchestration and acoustic interludes.

Musically, Juliel balances metal power with a cinematic sense of drama. “Impact” works as a compact instrumental prelude before “Aftermath” introduces the core of the album’s sound: mid-tempo progressive metal infused with orchestral and soundtrack-style layers. Songs like “Desperation” and “Shadows” bring darker, heavier passages, while “Land Of Light” and “Sunflowers” lean into acoustic and folk-inspired textures. The title track, “The Time Of The Ashes,” stretches over ten minutes and anchors the album with its shifting dynamics, from quiet introspection to expansive instrumental passages.

The voice of Juliane Ehl is expressive and emotional, guiding the listener through the story with clarity but with a little bit mediocre results. Her guitar work moves confidently between aggressive riffs and delicate melodic lines, while the orchestral elements and violin parts heighten the atmosphere. “Phoenix” serves as a climactic finale, resolving the journey with grandeur, while “The Winds Of The East” closes on a more fragile, ethereal note.

The strength of “The Time Of The Ashes” lies in its balance of concept and execution. It is progressive in scope, varied in instrumentation and carefully structured to unfold as a narrative experience rather than a collection of isolated tracks. The mixture of metal energy, cinematic orchestration and acoustic intimacy ensures that the dramatic theme of survival after destruction comes through with consistency across the album. This album will likely appeal to listeners who enjoy progressive metal with strong storytelling, a cinematic edge and a wide range of moods, from heavy riffing to atmospheric passages. It is ambitious and has personal presentation, offering a journey that invites repeated listens to fully explore its world.

Score: 6.0

Official Site: www.juliel-music.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/juliel_music Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10...