Emerging Artist Reviews

Album Review: Lycantrophilia "The Tyranny of Decay"

by The Metalverse

Updated September 29, 2025

Lycantrophilia Album Review "The Tyranny of Decay": The Metalverse.net

German/French duo metal act Lycantrophilia is set to release their upcoming album Tyranny of Decay on October 3, 2025.

The first track, Carnivorous Forest, bursts into action with no delay, instantly building a black metal sound as speeding blast beats, tremolo guitar melodies, and aggressive screams create a thrashing sound while melodic instrumentals fill in the background. Lycantrophila showcases their black metal influences immediately, but soon symphonic metal influences also show their impact as orchestral and choir elements add catchiness alongside the brutality.

Next is The Souvereign Scars of Ruin, which starts with lofi guitar before introducing low growls and riffage that matches a more modern metal sound, as speeding instrumentation is matched by explosive vocals and slamming drum beats. Bright orchestral strings add harmony to contrast the extreme metal sections, building a dynamic contrast between heavier and more melodic sections that keeps things interesting.

When the Stars Beg for Silence begins showcasing black metal-style screams while crushing death metal riffs, creating an equally groovy and crushing rhythm. Lycanthropia showcases experimental and unique influences as melodic bells chime and rising synths work alongside trap beats to create an electronic sound that is unexpected and exciting. In the bridge, the synth is reintroduced as a vocal technique that sounds similar to tribal throat singing, builds into full-on screams, making for a very distinct build-up that eventually makes way for an outro breakdown.

Sung Through the Maw of Nothingness brings back strong black metal influences with rapid pacing and those thrashing drum beats that are characteristic of the genre. Death metal growls and soaring sci-fi-like synths soon introduce piano melodies, creating a powerful balance of melody and extreme metal. Lycantrophilia showcases their bold influences, creating a distinct mix of sounds from outside of extreme metal with the genre–bringing back a trap beat and electronic influences to switch things up. The album definitely does not come across as your typical extreme metal album, with influences changing drastically from one track to the next.

Where the Heavens Fracture jumps right into rapid pacing, hard-hitting guitar, and highlights strong melodic orchestral elements, building a sound that has a grandiose atmosphere and reminds of genres like power metal. After a guitar solo, celestial synths are joined by whisper-screams in a unique bridge before launching back into full pacing.

Track 6, Crown of Ashes, brings back a more intense sound as ominous chord progressions bring death metal and black metal influences to the forefront. Fierce growls and screams follow galloping guitar riffs, as tempos change from speeding to dark and powerful. After 4 minutes of destruction, the track slowly fades out.

Litany Beneath the Rotting Moon starts off with atmospheric clean guitar before being joined by piano, orchestal strings, and chanting vocals. Lycantrophilia quickly showcases a change in vibe, building a hypnotic and distinct soundscape. Clocking in at just under 6 minutes, Litany Beneath the Rotting Moon takes listeners on a powerful journey, feeling almost ballad-like.

The final track Sanctum of Silence pans lofi guitar from ear to ear before kicking in fully with groovy drum fills. The track quickly changes dynamically, introducing energetic synths that invoke a retro sound, contrasting the harsh vocals, creating a chorus that feels like extreme metal meets 80s dance music.

Lycantrophilia takes a traditional black metal sound and blends it with elements of many genres, inside and outside of metal–molding their own distinct sound. You can stream The Tyranny of Decay, available October 3rd, 2025!