Canadian cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne ignites the next chapter of his musical journey with ‘Pyre’, the fourth single from his forthcoming solo album Lifeblood, arriving 3rd October.

Born from the idea of a quiet interlude, the track transformed into a haunting meditation on catharsis and sacrifice, its spectral, almost medieval melody conjures half remembered sunsets, fleeting romances and the painful act of leaving one life behind for another. The accompanying animated video by Jess Cope (Steven Wilson, Opeth, Metallica) amplifies the piece’s emotional intensity, weaving Nordic and Galician influences into a visual and sonic landscape that is at once intimate, melancholy and eerily beautiful.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/BStXghp_LGc

Stream 'Pyre' here.

Pre-order the album Lifeblood here.

Raphael comments on the new single: "'Pyre' is a piece about reaching catharsis through sacrifice. The timeless melody of this piece is meant to evoke a distant memory - a dance at sunset, a half-forgotten romance. It is about the painful act of leaving one's past behind to move to the next chapter in life.

"Initially intended to be a calm interlude between two long, epic tracks on the album ('Ophidian' and 'Labyrinthine'), 'Pyre' quickly evolved into a fully-developed standalone piece. The almost medieval melody that runs throughout was inspired by Galician music but ended up taking on more of a Nordic vibe reminiscent of groups such as Wardruna and Kalandra.

"I approached Jess Cope of Owl House Studios to create an animated music video to accompany the track. I have been a longtime fan of her work for artists such as Steven Wilson, Opeth and Metallica. To my pleasant surprise, she responded very enthusiastically to the track. Jess has an incredible ability to convey searing emotion through narrative and animation. When I read her initial storyboard for 'Pyre' and saw the rough draft of the video, I burst into tears. The final result is an absolutely gorgeous video that deepens the thematic and emotional world of 'Pyre'."

Lifeblood is Raphael Weinroth-Browne’s most daring and fully formed solo statement yet, a strikingly personal work that channels both the euphoria of creative flow and the relentless drive of ambition. Fusing the heft of progressive metal with Middle Eastern scales, modern classical finesse and enveloping electronic textures, it captures the raw tension and release at the heart of his musical identity.

Commenting on the album, he adds, "I consider this album to be my most autobiographical work to date. As a metalhead turned full-time professional cellist making original music outside the classical realm, I have taken the road less travelled, nurturing my artistic vision and trusting my intuition even on an unorthodox path. I have forged a unique career and identity around my musical voice and the way it manifests itself through the cello. The defiant, audacious energy of this music represents my inexorable drive to continue pursuing my dream in spite of all obstacles."

Lifeblood was engineered and co-mixed by Darren McGill at Union Sound Company in Toronto, with a final mix by acclaimed producer Adam Noble (Leprous, Katatonia). The album was then mastered by Robin Schmidt (Placebo, Ben Howard). Adding a visual dimension to the album’s immersive sound, the captivating cover artwork was created by Maldivian artist Maahy, celebrated for her ethereal, nature-inspired aesthetic.

Known for his emotionally charged performances and boundary pushing vision, Raphael Weinroth-Browne has become one of the most innovative cellists of his generation. Merging his roots in progressive metal with a passion for Middle Eastern music, he has forged a singular artistic voice that defies traditional expectations. His cello work can be heard on over 200 studio albums, including Woods of Ypres’ Juno Award-winning W5: Grey Skies & Electric Light and in major film and TV soundtracks. Viral cello covers of Opeth, Katatonia and Steven Wilson have earned praise from the artists themselves, while his genre-spanning studio and stage career continues to attract international attention.

Since joining Norwegian progressive rock icons Leprous in 2016, Weinroth-Browne has played over 200 shows worldwide with the band and helped shape the sound of three studio albums. He has shared stages with Evanescence, Apocalyptica, Devin Townsend and performed in front of 40,000 at Hellfest, as well as at prestigious venues such as London’s Royal Albert Hall. As a solo artist, he has opened for artists ranging from Polish neoclassical pianist Hania Rani to Nordic folk ensemble SKÁLD and UK legends Soft Machine.

In recent years, Weinroth-Browne has pushed further into experimental performance and contemporary dance. His solo debut Worlds Within (2020), a 40-minute composition built entirely from layered cello, earned critical acclaim for its emotional depth and innovative form. In 2023, he performed the album live with Ottawa Dance Directive to a sold-out audience at Canada’s National Arts Centre. In 2024, he was commissioned by the UK’s James Wilton Dance to compose BACH Reimagined, an 80-minute score that toured leading venues across the UK and Germany in spring 2025. Following this, his recent single 'Speed of Light' continued the forward momentum, merging baroque motifs with crushing distortion and polyrhythmic intensity, earning acclaim for its fearless fusion of past and future. As his creative output grows increasingly multidisciplinary, Weinroth-Browne continues to defy genre boundaries and redefine what the cello can be in the 21st century.

With more on the horizon later this year, Lifeblood stands as a defining chapter in Weinroth-Browne’s uncompromising artistic path, an album that distills passion, pain, discipline and defiance into a sound that feels both timeless and urgent, intellectually rich yet emotionally visceral.

Watch the videos for previous singles 'Lifeblood', 'Possession' and 'Ophidian'.

Catch Raphael live on the following dates:

October 24 - Ottawa, Canada - Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre - Lifeblood Album Release show

October 28 - Winnipeg, Canada - International Cello Festival of Canada - Original duo works with cellist Matthias Bartholomey

October 30 - Winnipeg, Canada - International Cello Festival of Canada - Excerpts from Lifeblood with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra

Dec 5-6 - Halifax, Canada - Performing Worlds Within w/ Ottawa Dance Directive at Live Art Dance

Raphael Weinroth-Browne online:
Official Website || Facebook | Instagram || Youtube || X || Bandcamp || Tik Tok

Raphael Weinroth-Browne releases stunning new single and animated video 'Pyre'

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