Heralded as the birth of “Quebèqois Power Doom Metal“, EXXÛL is the newest addition to the Productions TSO roster. Manned by Phil Tougas (ZEICRYDEUS, ATRAMENTUS FIRST FRAGMENT, WORM, CHTHE’ILIST, FUNEBRARUM) as “Defender” on guitars , Thomas Geries Karam (NOOR) as “Stargazer” on vocals, Antoine Daignault (DISSIMULATOR, ATRAMENTUS) as “Sentinel” on bass, Guyot Begin-Benoit (HYSTERICAL BLINDNESS) as “Etherial Hammer” on drums and François Bilodeau as “Spectre” on synths (ATRAMENTUS) this “secret doom band” has finally released the first samplings of its work, after months of cryptic social media presence.
Live Rehearsal 05.27.25 keeps in line with EXXÛL’s mystic approach towards the public, consisting of grainy black and white video footage and a singular photograph displayed above, as it has been solely released on tape.
The tape, as evident from the title, contains the band’s live rehearsal recordings from the 27th of May 2025 and consists of two untitled tracks and a cover of MANOWAR’s Secret of Steel.
Track 1 -yes there are no song titles on the tape- is an introductory 2 minute instrumental. Heavily atmospheric and with a definitive oriental essence, it sets the stage for what’s to follow.
Track 2 is the focal point of the tape. Our first real introduction to the EXXÛL universe, across 10 minutes of rehearsal – quality sound, which actually serves the atmosphere and the bands overall aesthetic pretty well. Track 2’s introduction carries an Into Glory Ride quality, before delving into purer doom territory. Power Doom Metal the term utilized by the band themselves, is quite fitting to the end result, an original mixture of doom and US power elements, with the epic feeling reigning supreme. Stargazer’s vocal delivery really contributes to the originality of the sound with a scream filled performance that ranges from eerie to erratic, over EXXÛL’s haunting melodies.
The tape wraps up with a cover of MANOWAR’s Secret of Steel. To no one’s surprise, EXXÛL does the track justice, with a rendition that paints the original material in a darker, exotic tone. Again Stargazer’s at times almost wailing vocals play a big part.
Live Rehearsal 05.27.25 was released on tape by Productions TSO.
All videos are originally from Production TSO’s Facebook page.
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Check the discussion about the tape in our forum pages.
