Deeply human
🔻 MEDIA FEEDBACK
100 / 100
➤ "… exotic vibes, samples — this album takes you on a journey through many countries. An explosion of the senses and emotions ... a strong and powerful work ... the end of the album is simply calm, with the last track bringing back the heavy guitars for a final conclusion ... a beautiful artistic output that you should buy without hesitation ..."
(The Metal Mag)
9 / 10
➤ "… packed with fantastic musical finesse, if you’re into the richness of Progressive Metal that blends both modern and traditional styles, and even world music … a multi-layered, cinematic story unfolds with a complex plot and elaborate orchestral arrangements … they really offer everything the Metal genre has to offer in terms of world music … how would Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull interpret this album?"
(Terapija)
4,5 / 5
➤ "… demonstrates that Progressive and Groove Metal can transcend technical skill when emotions, cultural elements, and musical experimentation come together ... the 10 tracks form a coherent whole that is accessible to both Metal fans and listeners who appreciate cross-genre soundscapes."
(MetalUnderground AT)
18 / 20
➤ "A fantastic album that sets the bar high for the future … powerful, technically accomplished, massive – yet the mix also features heart, nuance and finesse. There isn’t a single mediocre track to be found here; quality from start to finish … every track has its own identity … a brilliant band …"
(Aux Portes De Metal)
8,5 / 10
➤ "… with a penchant for Power Metal … a barrage of heavy guitars, thundering double bass and powerful choruses … always perfect for headbanging … at times reminiscent of Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Evergrey, Brainstorm or Ancient Curse. Frontman Stéphane's vocals are both melodic and powerful, often reminding me of Russell Allan from Symphony X … they’re impressive across the board in everything they do."
(Crossfire)
8,5 / 10
➤ "… emotionally, it oscillates between tension and elation … striking rhythms contrast with airier, almost contemplative passages … not simply a Progressive Metal album, but an immersive work, a sensory and spiritual journey … reaffirm a strong artistic vision that manages to unite diverse influences without ever losing coherence …"
(Radio Heavy Metal)
8,5 / 10
➤ "… their take on Progressive Metal really hits the spot for me … ‘Sufero’ is a wild ride in the vein of Symphony X. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard them in such fine form as the French band demonstrate here. Powerful riffing, captivating choruses and brilliant, rousing melodies."
(Obliveon)
82 / 100
➤ "… the progressive elements from France are emphasised, often reminiscent of Dream Theater. Perhaps because all the tracks deal with different events that actually took place in various parts of the world, folk or ethnic melodies can be heard here and there, evoking a Celtic or Asian feel and creating an exotic atmosphere."
(Burrn!)
8 / 10
➤ "... aggressive drumming, high-energy riffing, and extremely varied vocals ... show why the French are referred to as a modern Progressive Metal band ... and the changing voices of the backing vocals never fail to thrill …"
(Bleeding4Metal)
8 / 10
➤ "The riffs strike with absolute hostility. The guys fuse the aggression of Thrash legends Nevermore and Testament with the brain-twisting math of Symphony X and Pain Of Salvation."
(Heavy Metal Darkness)
8 / 10
➤ "… brilliant performances, great songwriting and a full cast of guest artist that drive the concept this album tries to convey. A superb record but one that you need to make time for 'Cairn' is a pillar of the Prog Metal scene."
(Musipedia Of Metal)
7,7 / 10
➤ "... PARALLEL MINDS with ‘Cairn’ know exactly what kind of Prog/Power Metal they want to embody ... a band that wants to get heavier and, like many others, integrate elements from other musical styles ... more arabesque or with a more Mediterranean flair, and Stéphane Fradet's voice is one of those that has some rougher ideas in it, giving it a much more brutal character ..."
(Metallerium)
➤ "… bold, demanding, and emotionally uncompromising … rewards patience, attention, and repeat listens. This is Metal that challenges the mind while punching the gut, proving that heaviness and humanity can — and should — coexist … PARALLEL MINDS haven’t just released an album here. They’ve built a monument. And it’s one hell of a thing to stand in front of."
(The Riff Report)
➤ "… they've carved out their own space here. Large-scale album designed for full immersive listening while featuring tracks that can stand alone as singles."
(Papy Jeff Metal)
➤ "Ultimately, 'Cairn' stands out as a solid release, driven by a genuine vision and masterful execution. PARALLEL MINDS clearly consolidates its identity here. A successful album, perhaps a little too demanding for some, but one that fully reveals itself over time."
(Nawak Posse)
➤ "The guitar riffs stand out sharply against the soaring melodies, creating an emotional balance between anger and beauty. It is a curated sensory experience that celebrates human endurance through phenomenal staging, with each song feeling like a necessary building block in a larger …"
(Rancor Metalzine)
➤ "This fourth album is even more in line with Stef and Greg's initial desire to create a band that would know no boundaries or rules. PARALLEL MINDS, with its colorful Progressive Metal, continues its musical journey without setting limits on established musical rules. An album that offers both continuity for those who discovered and enjoyed this band in 2022, but also other songs, with a new musical approach and great vocal diversity, which will appeal to a wider audience."
(OdyMetal)
➤ "… Power Metal that grooves, rocks, riffs... should appeal to NWOBHM veterans and young Metal fans alike."
(Sonic Realms)
➤ "... intricate riffs to rather straightforward, sometimes fast rhythms ... sophisticated, partly harmonized clean vocals ... subtle keyboard sounds and also some neoclassical influences …"
(Babyblaue Seiten)
➤ "… demands attention, availability, almost reverence. Each track is a stone placed on an invisible monument, a cairn dedicated to memory, to pain, to resistance, to dignity. One hour of music. An epic. A historical fresco. A testament. There are albums that don't just tell a story: they bear witness. 'Cairn' belongs to this rare category."
(France Metal Museum)
➤ "… gains depth with every listen, as you keep discovering new elements … comes across as a very well-thought-out and ambitious album. PARALLEL MINDS combine musical technique with a clear thematic concept, creating a work that not only sounds powerful but also has a story to tell. Anyone who appreciates Progressive Metal with plenty of dynamics and narrative depth is sure to find a lot to enjoy on this album."
(The Anti Archive)
➤ "Each song unfolds its own world of imagination, and some don’t hesitate to push the boundaries … the incredible talent of these three musicians shines once again for the world to see, and their ability to step back and let the music take the spotlight is a testament to their immense humility."
(Metalnews FR)
➤ "It is not only the human experience that makes 'Cairn' a great album, it is also the way PARALLEL MINDS add their influences keeping their Power Metal identity clean. PARALLEL MINDS are a Power Metal with influences, not the other way around and this a very important thing to achieve."
(Metal Addicts)
➤ "… dynamic and elaborate style …"
(Flight Of Pegasus)
➤ "… I highly recommend checking it out … you won't be disappointed … it's a real gem …"
(Radio Metal Revolution)
➤ "… Their Progressive Metal has everything you could want: a sense of gravity. There's stakes and a narrative. With 'Cairn', PARALLEL MINDS has now joined the big leagues."
(MoM - Metal On Metal)
➤ "… super interesting …"
(Groundcast)
➤ "… a revelation … the oriental/tribal influences, which play a significant role, offer not only a broader perspective but also a touch of exoticism that blends harmoniously into the overall picture … emotional depth in their conceptual choices … truly authentic … one of the highlights of the French Metal scene …"
(Du son, des mots)
➤ "… a significant leap forward. More ambitious, multifaceted, and open to the world, this album stands out as a milestone in their discography. Sophisticated yet generous, technically brilliant and deeply felt at the same time … takes time to appreciate but reward you a hundredfold … one should immerse oneself in completely—preferably with headphones to capture the full range and all the subtleties."
(Under A Metal Sun)
➤ "The production is clever and balanced enough to enhance not only the instruments and vocals but also the forays into so-called world music, ensuring that neither element gets in the way of the other but rather that they coexist and thrive within the same musical ecosystem … for fans of the heaviest Progressive Metal … a release not to be missed … my first big favourite of the year!""
(Dioses Del Metal)
Previous acclaim for the band
"Echoes From Afar" • Album • 2022
Metal Gods TV (UK) 10/10
TrueMetal (Italy) 90/100
Metal News (France) 90 / 100
Pavillon 666(France) 9/10
Loud TV (France) 9/10
World of Metal (Italy) 9/10
Aux Portes Du Metal (France) 18/20
Nawakulture (France) 4/5
All Around Metal (Italy) 4/5
Nightfall in Metal Earth (France) 4/5
Music Waves (France) 4/5 – Top 3 April 2022
OgZa (Mexico) 8,5/10
Soil Chronicles (France) 8,5/10
Metallized (Italy) 82/100
Metal Franche Comte (France) 8/10
No Limit (France) 8/10
| Action: | PARALLEL MINDS |
| Title: | Cairn |
| Base: | Chaville • France |
| Style: | Progressive Power Metal |
| Genre: | Progressive Metal, Power Metal, Melodic Power Metal, Ethno Metal |
| FFO: | Blind Guardian, Evergrey, Symphony X |
| Type: | Full-length |
| Format: | CD • Vinyl • Digital |
| Label: | Independent |
| Release: | March 10, 2026 |
BULLET POINTS
🔘 Fourth album by the profound French Metallers
🔘 Powerful, dynamic songs with incredible punch
🔘 Also lyrical with the most serious depth
French Progressive Power Metallers PARALLEL MINDS blending the rigor of Thrash, the harmonic richness of Prog and the majesty of Power Metal.
After three albums released on renowned labels (Brennus Music, Pitch Black Records, M&O Music / M&O Office), these top performers are now returning in overwhelming form.
With "Cairn", their fourth album with strong narrative depth and an international focus, the band is now establishing itself as one of the most important bands on the European Metal scene.
The outstanding group recently presented the first new single "Sufero" from "Cairn", on Jan. 11. The album release is scheduled for Spring - the release date will be March 10, 2026
[ Official Video ]
The Band says about it:
"‘Sufero’ is a raw and incendiary track from PARALLEL MINDS’ upcoming album, ‘CAIRN’. Driven by massive riffs, a pounding rhythm, and relentless tension, the song encapsulates all the emotional intensity and determination that permeates the album.
Like the cairn, a universal symbol of life and legacy across many civilizations, ‘Sufero’ evokes the relentless struggle to build oneself stone by stone, in pain and rage, not only to survive, but to leave a mark, a beacon for those who come after.
By integrating ethnic and multicultural influences into a resolutely aggressive Metal approach, the album gives this struggle a timeless and collective dimension. Between unapologetic aggression and symbolic depth, ‘Sufero’ strikes like a manifesto: move forward, resist, guide, whatever the cost."
"Cairn" is not just an album - it is a conceptual work, a 61-minute journey through suffering, memory and resilience. Each track explores the mark left by humanity in its constant struggle against destruction and oblivion. The album transcends cultural borders to offer a deeply human and universal Metal fresco.
"Cairn" is a large-scale album, designed for full immersive listening while featuring powerful and striking tracks able to stand on their own as singles.
EMAIL
•
LINE-UP
Steph Fradet • Vocals
Greg Giraudo • Guitars
Fabien Peugeot • Bass
Eric Mannella • Drums
•
TRACKS
01. Cairn 01:31 ft Johann & Lu [Asylum Pyre]
02. Sufero 05:14 ft Johann & Lu [Asylum Pyre]
03. Orishas 07:39 ft Rock [Arka'n Asrafokor] & Lakoélé Atalawoé
04. Bhopal 05:41 ft Mathieu Gehin [Muhurta]
05. Trails Of Tears 09:14 ft Michael Rose
06. Sekigahara 06:28
07. Troubles 07:28
08. Colonias 03:56 ft Aileen & Gabriel Fradet
09. On Both Sides 09:22
10. Fear Is The Pandemic 04:38 ft DevF [Stone Horns]
Total: 61:11
•
DISCOGRAPHY
2015 • Headlong Disaster • Full-length
2015 • Unplugged Disaster • EP
2015 • Spanish Disaster • Single
2019 • Every Hour Wounds... The Last One Kills • Full-length
2021 • No Fate • Single
2022 • Angel's Battle • Single
2022 • Echoes From Afar • Full-length
2026 • Cairn • Full-length
•
VISUAL CREDITS
Band: Regis Demirci
Artwork & Logo: Stephane Fradet
•
•
2026 CONCERT DATES
[ All dates ]
07/02 • w. Scardust + Hartlight • France
12/03 • w. Another Age + Cigue • France
14/03 • w. Scarlean • France
02/04 • w. Social Prophecy & Inferal • France
03/04 w. Draguignan + Scarlean • France
26/06 • Galem Fest (headline) • France
03/07 • Thusy French Alps HS Fest • France
tba
The band is looking forward to booking inquiries
•
#️⃣ Tag cloud
#parallelminds #france #progressivemetal #powermetal #ethnometal #frenchmetal #heavymetal #metal #ethno #tribal #newsingle #sufero #newalbum #cairn #fulllength #newrelease #metalmessage #promotion #PR
INTERVIEWS ➭ PARALLEL MINDS is available via phone, Teams, Zoom & email
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