Formed in 2023 by vocalist Yama Tokido and guitarist/keyboardist Eric Senn, the French quartet evolved into a formidable quintet with the addition of Corentin Senn (bass/cello), Estéban Rodriguez (guitar), and Adrien Escaich (drums). Dualisis emerge as a compelling proposition within the contemporary Progressive Metal landscape, navigating a sonic terrain that bridges Modern Prog, Alternative Metal, and Post-Metal. With a clear stylistic dialogue to bands such as TesseracT, Katatonia, Soen, In This Moment, and The Gathering, the band’s approach eschews pure technical exhibitionism in favor of narrative immersion. Their debut EP, “Us,” released officially on May 15, 2026, following a robust summer promotional campaign, is an exercise in dynamic architecture, relying on tension and release to explore the duality of internal dreams and nightmares. The title track, “Us,” immediately establishes the band’s compositional philosophy, weaving dark atmospheres into potent rhythmic explosions. The interplay between Eric Senn and Estéban Rodriguez builds a wall of tension against which Yama Tokido’s vocals assert themselves. The lyrical subject—a telepathic yet alienating connection (“No one understands us / No one can think as fast as our brains are racing”), is set to the backdrop of two “shooting stars” disregarding external judgment. Musically, it serves as a manifesto: an Alt-Prog composition that balances melodic accessibility with heavy rhythmic drives. “The Deep,” originally released as a standalone single alongside the title-track, functions as the record’s second movement. Here, Dualisis exploit Cinematic dynamics to great effect, oscillating between rarefied, Atmospheric verses and monolithic riffs. The narrative describes a symbiotic but tormented bond formed by two strangers under red light—a “pact of blood” metaphorical attempt to escape an internal abyss (“Drink my blood, it’s the only way to stay one more day away from the deep”). The track is driven by Gothic-psychological tension, punctuated by a scratching guitar solo that escalates the atmosphere before returning to the monolithic rhythm section. “You Just Don’t Care” offers a denser, more oppressive texture. It begins with near-Heavy Metal riffs wrapped in dark atmospheric soundscapes, utilizing time signature changes to transition into melancholic, rock-infused verses. The lyrical theme—absolute apathy (“The blood on your wrist, the burn in your flesh… You just don’t care”), finds a fitting musical parallel in the track’s progression. What begins as an intricate Progressive exercise evolves into a Cinematic Heavy Metal climax, where heavy riffs and melodic surges occupy the entire sonic space, creating a sense of suffocating sorrow. In “Already Dead,” the band shifts into a more violent, incisive territory, fusing Alternative Metal with Post-Metal elements. Walls of sound constructed by the dual guitars support Adrien Escaich’s obsessive drumming patterns. The lyrics explore dissociation and impotence (“It’s a blade in my brain”), yet musically, the track is a display of restraint turning into release. Tokido navigates between raw, aggressive vocal attacks and wrapping clean passages, while the instrumental arrangement, particularly in the second half, reveals a progressive backbone with complex guitar interludes. The EP reaches its cathartic zenith with “There’s Nothing,” where Corentin Senn’s cello work finds its most cinematic expression. The track is built around a claustrophobic anxiety (“gnawing at my peace”), culminating in an epic finale that synthesizes the record’s elements: Heavy riffing, solistic flourishes, and a demanding drumming performance rich in odd time signatures and accented breaks. It is a conclusion marked by desperate psychological confinement, ending on a haunting, repetitive note. Despite being a debut EP, “Us” presents a work of startling maturity and cohesion. Dualisis have crafted a genuine exploration of the human psyche’s darker recesses. The versatility of vocalist Yama Tokido, shifting seamlessly from delicate melody to dramatic peaks, and Corentin Senn’s cello, which adds profound film-score-like textures to the prog framework, are central to the band’s identity. The production, mixed and mastered by Ben Lessous at BBlast Records, strikes an excellent balance between the weight of the riffs and Atmospheric clarity. Visually, the artwork by Oaken_leaf_art perfectly encapsulates the work’s psychological dualism. For listeners seeking a proposal that merges Cinematic heaviness with deep emotional resonance, “Us” is highly recommended. Dualisis prove to be one of the most original French Alt-Prog-Metal propositions in recent years, laying an incredibly solid foundation for their future full-length albums.
Tracklist
01. Us (06:34)
02. The Deep (06:56)
03. You Just Don’t Care (04:42)
04. Already Dead (05:09)
05. There’s Nothing (06:15)
Lineup
Yama Tokido / Vocals
Eric Senn / Guitar & Keyboards
Corentin Senn / Bass & Cello
Estéban Rodriguez / Guitar
Adrien Escaich / Drums