Montreal (QC) – Progressive Rock powerhouse Karcius returns with “Black Soul Sickness” — a haunting and cinematic odyssey through the fragile architecture of the human psyche. The forthcoming album is “Part III” of a magnificent trilogy that includes “The Fold” (2018) and critically acclaimed release, “Grey White Silver Yellow & Gold” (2022).
“Black Soul Sickness” will be released May 8 on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
Entirely produced by the band and mixed by guitarist and main composer Simon L’Espérance, this seventh studio album captures a group at the height of its artistic and emotional power.
Following the international acclaim of “Grey White Silver Yellow & Gold” (2022) — Received positive reviews from international Prog magazines — Karcius ventures deeper into uncharted emotional and sonic territory.
“Black Soul Sickness” is an introspective voyage that confronts loss, obsession, and rebirth. Its sound weaves together the cinematic scope of modern Prog with the intensity of metal and the emotional depth of Post-Rock. Every note feels both intimate and immense — from shimmering vocal harmonies to thunderous rhythmic pulses, from intricate guitar passages to moments of near silence that breathe like ghosts.
At the heart of Karcius‘ chemistry is the collective interplay between Sylvain Auclair (vocals, bass & words — The Anchoret, Heaven’s Cry), Sébastien Cloutier (keyboards — The Anchoret, Hamadryad), drummer Thomas Brodeur, and guitarist/producer Simon L’Espérance. Together, their performances fuse emotional weight with virtuosic precision, embodying a rare balance between technical mastery and heartfelt expression.
Recorded in and around Montreal, “Black Soul Sickness” embraces both precision and imperfection — reflecting the duality that defines Karcius: human yet technical, dark yet luminous. It’s an album that invites listeners to look inward — not for comfort, but for truth.
With over two decades of evolution, performances across Europe and North America, and a reputation for electrifying live shows — including a headlining performance at Progstorm Montréal and their acclaimed Blu-ray “Live in France” (recorded at Festival Crescendo 2019) — Karcius continues to bridge the visceral and the cerebral, the shadow and the light.
“Black Soul Sickness” is not just an album — it’s a descent into the storm, and a testament to the healing power of sound.
The band has released two singles from “Black Soul Sickness” thus far. Music videos for each are available at:
“Out of Nothing” | “Darkest Heir“
The third single will be released on April 23. Stay tuned!
Pre-Orde “Black Soul Sickness” on Bandcamp: karcius.bandcamp.com/album/black-soul-sickness-2
Pre-Save “Black Soul Sickness” here:
Tracklist:
01. Wallow
02. Out of Nothing
03. Darkest Heir
04. Slow Down Son
05. Rise
06. Awakening the Spirit
07. Dusting My Coat
Lineup:
Simon L’Espérance / Guitars, Synths, Percussions, Keyboards & Loops Programming
Sylvain Auclair / Vocals, Bass & Words
Thomas Brodeur / Drums, Pecussion & Sound Design
Sébastien Cloutier / Piano, B3, Wurlitzer, Synths, Mellotrons, Additional Keyboards
— Karcius Biography —
Formed in the spring of 2001, the band began as an instrumental Progressive Fusion project featuring Simon L’Espérance (guitars), Thomas Brodeur (drums), Mingan Sauriol (keyboards), and Dominique Blouin (bass). Complex arrangements and fearless musicianship quickly became their signature.
In 2009, the arrival of vocalist and bassist Sylvain Auclair (Heaven’s Cry, The Anchoret) marked a turning point. The addition of vocals didn’t soften the band — it expanded the battlefield. The music grew darker, heavier, more emotionally charged. In 2017, keyboard virtuoso Sébastien Cloutier (Hamadryad, The Anchoret) joined the lineup, unlocking an even broader sonic spectrum and pushing the band into new progressive territory.
Their 2018 studio album The Fold established KARCIUS as a serious force in modern progressive rock and metal — bold compositions, massive dynamics, no compromise. The intensity of their stage presence was captured on the live album and Blu-ray Live in France (2019), showcasing a band that thrives in front of an audience.
On March 18, 2022, KARCIUS released Grey White Silver Yellow & Gold, a six-track statement of intent. The album was met with critical acclaim, including recognition from DPRP.net, which named it the #1 Progressive-Metal & Heavy-Prog album of 2022. It was not just well received — it was definitive.
The next chapter arrives May 8, 2026 with Black Soul Sickness. The one certainty with the forthcoming album is that KARCIUS isn’t slowing down. The riffs hit harder. The melodies cut deeper. The vision is sharper. This is a band that builds tension patiently, strikes without warning, and leaves a mark that lingers. KARCIUS doesn’t follow trends. They carve their own path — loud, intricate, and unapologetically progressive.
Drawing inspiration from the sonic ambition of Pink Floyd, the angular intensity of King Crimson, the modern depth of Porcupine Tree, the darkness of Opeth, and the emotional punch of Radiohead and Foo Fighters, KARCIUS blends melody, weight, atmosphere, and technical firepower into something unmistakably their own.