Cratophane |Exode |I, Voidhanger Records

Release Date: October 3^rd, 2025
Format: CD/LP/Digital
Genre: ProgPost Metal, Noise Rock
Country: France

Cratophane are a French power trio formed in the late 2010s, working at the crossroads of noise rock, post metal, heavy psych and zeuhl inspired progressive music. After drawing attention with their self titled debut in 2022, the band aligned with I, Voidhanger Records and continued shaping a sound rooted in repetition, tension and vivid imagination, often linked to science fiction imagery and graphic art.

 “Exode” presents Cratophane at a more focused stage of their evolution. The album unfolds as a continuous journey built on layered riffs, angular rhythms and dissonant harmonies. The writing favors long forms and gradual development, allowing ideas to expand and transform over time. There is a strong progressive logic at work, with recurring motifs and shifting dynamics that keep the listener alert without resorting to excess.

The band’s influences are easy to trace, echoes of Pelican, Shellac, Magma and Aluk Todolo appear throughout the album. These references are absorbed into a personal language shaped by repetition and tension. The music often circles around a central idea, adding small variations that slowly change its character. The result is hypnotic and demanding, asking for attention rather than background listening.

A key aspect of “Exode” is its close link to science fiction comics. Inspired by artists like Moebius, Druillet and Enki Bilal, the album functions as a soundtrack to imagined worlds and harsh landscapes. Vincent Perriot’s cover art from “Negalyod” strengthens this connection, giving the release a clear visual identity that matches the music’s abstract and cosmic atmosphere.

With “Exode”, Cratophane deliver an album that rewards patience and repeated listens. The material stays consistent in tone and ambition, offering a solid example of modern progressive noise rock without unnecessary decoration. It may challenge casual listeners, though it offers depth and coherence for those willing to follow its path.

Score: 7.0

https://www.facebook.com/cratophane