Oïkoumen

Oïkoumen was founded by Elie Veux, guitar and composer, and Laura Mazard, vocals and lyricist, in 2017. Yaël Febvray joined the adventure in 2019 as bassist and synths programmation from from the single The Green Queen. First influenced by the big names from the symphonic, neoclassical and gothic sphere such as Nightwish, Stratovarius, Within Temptation... the group released in 2020 their first EP, Oïkoumen, using orchestras and historical subjects. However, with the single The Green Queen and the preparation at the same time of their first album Dystopia, the group turns to a more raw and dry aesthetic. This change is made in connection with texts that have become more explicit and committed. Despite this shift, the symphonic aspect is preserved and becomes more complex as the composer evolves. The single and the album therefore take a more sincere, incisive and tense turn, sometimes drawing on the effectiveness of rock with anthems like Green Warriors and Amandla or in a more tense and anguish direction in Insidious and Slaughterhouse. Dystopia, released on November 4, 2022 in physical and digital versions, is the group's first album. It marks a turning point in the artistic choices of Oïkoumen by moving away from the dreamlike and epic universe of symphonic metal to turn towards a rawer and more committed atmosphere, dealing with ecological, social and psychological subjects. The album goes from an initially pessimistic, dark and anguished atmosphere in the first titles which deal with the senseless exploitation of humans, animals and nature to an atmosphere of hope, active and optimistic with titles that recall the actions already taken and the collective efforts. On the aesthetic level, the choice was made to work on emotions such as anxiety and anger triggered by those subjects. The vocals is used more sharply on tense riffs and harder texts on the first titles of the album Dystopia, Insidious, Slaughterhouse, Blood Ores, Burnout and Contamination. As for the following titles, the spirit is more engaging and positive with effective riffs and choruses that can be singed along in crowds like Amandla and Green Warriors. Five Elements and Utopia pay homage to nature, sometimes inviting us to fear it, sometimes to respect it.