HEAVEN’S CRY
From Quebec, Canada
Heaven’s Cry is a progressive rock and metal band from Montreal whose history reaches back to the early nineties, when vocalist and guitarist Pierre St Jean (NonHuman Era, Alcoholica, and ex-Voivod as session musician) and vocalist and bassist Sylvain Auclair (The Anchoret, Karcius) teamed up to build a project focused on dual vocals, strong melodies and a thoughtful, emotionally grounded approach to heavy music. From the start, their sound leaned toward progressive rock coloured by metal intensity, setting the stage for what would become one of Quebec’s most distinctive progressive bands.
Their debut Food for Thought Substitute first appeared in Japan in 1996 and quickly earned a spot among Burrn Magazine’s top metal albums of the year before reaching Europe and Canada. It set the tone for the band’s identity, with intricate arrangements, expressive vocal interplay and a sense of musical storytelling that resonated strongly within the progressive scene. With drummer René Lacharité (Necrotic Mutation) and guitarist Eric Jarrin (Despised Icon) joining in the early 2000s, Heaven’s Cry broadened their sound on Primal Power Addiction in 2002, which helped solidify their reputation and brought them to major prog festivals such as ProgPower Europe and ProgPower USA, along with shows supporting respected international acts.
After a seven year break, the band regrouped with fresh energy, signed to Prosthetic Records and released Wheels of Impermanence in 2012. They followed with Outcast in 2016, their most ambitious conceptual album to date. The record explores themes of political manipulation, resilience and collective awakening, weaving heavy sections, soaring melodies and a strong narrative thread, while drawing on influences from Rush to King Crimson.
Now returning to the stage after several years away, Heaven’s Cry is ready to step back into the spotlight. With a legacy that includes festival appearances across Europe and the United States and a discography marked by reflection, intensity and constant evolution, they remain one of Montreal’s essential progressive voices.