“An Album in which you are the hero,” reads the cover of the new release by the French Dungeon Synth/Black Metal project Hyver. It takes a kind of Dungeons & Dragons approach to the album format, allowing you as the listener to decide how the story unfolds. But do we actually want this? And are we even in the mood for it?
To quote a well-known TikTok creator and fantasy enthusiast: Let’s find out.
Throughout this album, you’re constantly faced with choices that significantly shape your listening experience. There are even two different narrators: Virginie Ropars for the English version, and David Thiérrée — artist and iconic voice within the French underground — for the French edition. That choice alone already sets the tone for the adventure ahead.
Depending on the decisions you make and which rooms, staircases, or shafts you dare to enter, the album will unfold differently every time. One path may lead you into cold, atmospheric Dungeon Synth passages, while another throws you headfirst into a furious Black Metal track. You’re not merely a spectator but the actual protagonist — someone who must navigate a decaying, shadow-filled castle where every door hides a new musical and narrative threat. It’s essentially an audio gamebook, a modern “choose your own adventure,” but with blast beats and fog-drenched soundscapes.
Musically, Hyver is strongly supported by members of Véhémence, Grylle, and Hanternoz. Their contributions are most prominent in the Black Metal sections, resulting in passages that lose none of their intensity despite the conceptual nature of the project. This makes the album not only an experimental listening experience, but also a solid addition to the contemporary French scene.
Do we actually need this, or even want it? Honestly: I’m not sure. I suspect that Dungeon Synth fans in particular will get the most out of the “game” aspect, delighting in exploring, choosing, and reshaping the journey with each playthrough.
As for me, that interactive component doesn’t necessarily appeal. I’m simply not someone who wants to be actively involved in an album to get the full experience — but that’s just how I’m wired. Some listeners want to experience a record; others want to wander through it. This album clearly caters to that second group.
80/100
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