New Release: Areis

Areis’ “The Calling”: A Haunting Dive into Occult Occitan Shadows

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gXwXcCqurc

Straight outta Occitanie, Areis—whose name echoes the Old Occitan “s’élever” (to rise)—is back, and boy, they’re not here to play nice. After their debut album punched a hole in the modern hardcore scene, their sophomore effort, The Calling (dropped March 21, 2025), cranks the dial to 11. Think occult lore, shadowy riffs, and a sprinkle of black metal grit. Yeah, they’ve gone full “dark side of the moon”—Occitan style.

Their new single, “How Far”, is a rollercoaster of melodic hardcore and blackened chaos, laced with hypnotic Occitan polyphonic chants. Picture a forgotten occult order worshipping some primordial sun, battling existential dread… all while your eardrums beg for mercy. The track’s lyrics? A desperate tango with oblivion: “How far is the Sun? How long to the end of it all?” Chills, right?

And let’s talk about that Occitan verse—“Ne parlèrem amb los mainatges e los aucèls…” (We’ll speak with children and birds / We won’t accept your twisted path). Poetic rebellion meets ancient mysticism. Chef’s kiss.

Areis isn’t just a band—they’re a mood. The Calling feels like stumbling into a forbidden crypt where punk, black metal, and Occitan folklore swap ghost stories. Paul Gonzalvez and Michaël Jarrié’s riffage? Brutal. Erwan Billon’s Occitan verses? Spine-tingling. This isn’t just music; it’s a séance.

So, if you’re into sonic exorcisms or just need a soundtrack for your next existential crisis, hit play. Just don’t blame me if you start seeing shadows dance.