“Oubliette,” the latest single from Kelowna power trio Freeze the Fall, is a tightly crafted cut blending aggressive riffs, soaring melodies and intense lyrical themes. The track marks a significant step forward for the metallers, showcasing their ability to write songs that are both blistering and emotionally resonant. “Oubliette” has a certain je ne sais quoi with its use of secret French language messages encoded throughout the song.
This hard-hitting progressive piece sends audiences into a twisted Parisian silent film of a bygone era with its accompanying visualizer. The single comes off the group’s EP, The Red Garden, out everywhere June 18th via 604 Records. Reminiscent of acts like Architects, Spiritbox, and early Bring Me The Horizon, the EP is produced, mixed and mastered by Jordan Chase and engineered by Colton Douglas at Oo-de-lally Recordings in British Columbia, Canada.
The song’s powerful, bursting chorus provides clarity that directly contrasts the heavier, chaotic verses, making the track instantly replayable and anthemic. It explores themes of isolation, inner conflict and emotional release, mirroring the song’s title reference. “Oubliette” refers to “a dungeon of forgetting.” The raw and melodic vocals performed by frontwoman Quinn Mitzel, paired with the haunting harmonies between backing vocalist and bassist Aria Becker, enhance the tension between despair and resilience. This duality speaks to the band’s deeper message about acknowledging pain, yet refusing to stay buried in it. The tight musicianship and precise transitions reflect a group that’s not only technically skilled but also emotionally in tune with their message.
“Oubliette,” added to CBC Music’s Canadian Metal, follows The Red Garden’s first three singles, “Aurora,” “Hypothermia,” and “VHS,” which represent an intense, raw, and emotional shift. The Red Garden is an evolution both in sound and storytelling. Leaning into themes of nostalgia, emotional distance, the EP is marked by its cold, isolating atmosphere and heavy, almost post-metal textures. It combines elements of melding introspective and poetic lyricism with soaring, anthemic instrumentation. Adding to a sense of grandeur and emotional release.
With still so many secrets and hidden truths to be revealed, The Red Garden feels like a defining moment for Freeze the Fall, showcasing their ability to craft deeply moving, high-impact music. It is a promising collection of songs that expands on their signature sound.