Beyond Creation
Beyond Creation is a Canadian progressive technical death metal band formed in 2005 in Montreal, Quebec.[1][2] The group is renowned for its intricate compositions, blending technical proficiency with themes of science fiction, spirituality, and societal issues, and features innovative elements like fretless bass lines.[2][3] As of 2025, the band is signed to Season of Mist records, has released three studio albums, and garnered recognition, including a 2019 Juno Award nomination for Best Metal/Hard Music Album for their 2018 release Algorythm.[1][3][4] The band originated as an independent project in 2005, debuting in 2010 with an initial lineup consisting of Simon Girard on vocals and guitar, Kevin Chartré on guitar, Guyot Bégin-Benoît on drums, and Dominic “Forest” Lapointe on bass.[1] Their self-released debut album, The Aura, arrived in 2011, showcasing their signature complex rhythms and atmospheric soundscapes.[1] In 2013, Beyond Creation signed with Season of Mist, which reissued The Aura and supported their first major tours across North America and Japan.[1][3] Lineup changes followed, with drummer Philippe Boucher joining in 2012 and bassist Hugo Doyon-Karout in 2015, solidifying the current configuration.[1] Subsequent releases include Earthborn Evolution in 2014, which expanded on their progressive style with elaborate instrumentation, and Algorythm in 2018, praised for its thematic depth exploring human evolution and technology.[1] As of November 2025, Beyond Creation remains active in the progressive death metal scene, with a 15th anniversary tour for The Aura in 2025 and work underway on a fourth studio album, maintaining a reputation for technical innovation and live intensity.[1][3][5][6]History
Formation and early years
Beyond Creation was formed in 2005 in Montreal, Quebec, by guitarist and lead vocalist Simon Girard and guitarist Nicolas Domingo Viotto, who began writing original material inspired by the city's burgeoning technical death metal scene.[7][8] The duo drew from Quebec's vibrant metal community, which had fostered influential acts in the progressive and technical death metal genres, shaping their early sound with complex compositions and intricate instrumentation.[3][2] The initial lineup expanded in 2008 with the addition of drummer Guyot Begin-Benoit, allowing the band to refine their live performances within Montreal's local venues and underground circuit.[7][9] However, the group faced early challenges with lineup instability; Viotto departed in 2007 and was promptly replaced by guitarist Kevin Chartré, a longtime associate who contributed backing vocals and helped stabilize the rhythm section.[9][7] Bassist Dominic "Forest" Lapointe, previously active in Quebec's metal scene with bands like Augury, joined in 2010, completing the core configuration that would define their technical prowess.[7][10] Throughout these formative years from 2005 to 2010, Beyond Creation focused on honing their craft through local gigs and self-production, navigating turnover while building a reputation in Montreal's tight-knit technical death metal community.[3][1] In 2010, shortly after Lapointe's arrival, the band independently released a self-titled demo, showcasing their evolving progressive elements and complex structures.[7] This pre-label phase culminated in a transition to wider recognition with the 2011 debut album The Aura.[2]Breakthrough and label signing
Beyond Creation's debut full-length album, The Aura, marked their breakthrough in the technical death metal scene, released independently through PRC Music on April 12, 2011. The album featured intricate compositions, including standout tracks like "Omnipresent Perception," which showcased the band's signature blend of progressive elements and aggressive riffing. Produced by Christian Donaldson at Studio Gorgone in Montreal, the recording highlighted the group's emphasis on complex guitar arrangements by Simon Girard and the prominent use of fretless bass by Dominic "Forest" Lapointe, contributing to its distinctive sonic depth.[11][12][13] Following the album's initial success through grassroots promotion and online buzz, Beyond Creation signed a deal with Season of Mist on February 19, 2013, which facilitated a wider distribution and re-release of The Aura on April 12, 2013, in Europe and May 14, 2013, in North America. This partnership elevated their visibility, adding a bonus track and enhanced packaging to the reissue. To promote the re-release, the band embarked on their first major North American tour as part of the 2013 Decibel Magazine Tour, supporting headliners Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, and Immolation from May 21 to June 2.[14][15][16] Building on this momentum, Beyond Creation released their second album, Earthborn Evolution, on October 24, 2014, via Season of Mist, further solidifying their international presence. The record expanded on their technical prowess with tracks like "Fundamental Process," exploring themes of existential evolution through elaborate instrumentation and dynamic structures. Recorded once again at Studio Gorgone with production by Christian Donaldson, it refined the fretless bass and multi-layered guitar work that defined their emerging style.[17][18]Continued success and recent activities
Following the release of Earthborn Evolution in 2014, Beyond Creation experienced lineup changes that contributed to greater stability. Drummer Philippe Boucher joined the band in 2012, replacing Guyot Begin-Benoît, while bassist Hugo Doyon-Karout came on board in 2015, succeeding Dominic Lapointe.[1][19] The band issued its third studio album, Algorythm, on October 12, 2018, via Season of Mist, featuring standout tracks such as "Theatrical Delirium" and "The Inversion."[20] The record earned a Juno Award nomination for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year in 2019.[21] No further studio albums have followed since Algorythm, though the group has remained active within the technical death metal scene through live performances and collaborations. As of late 2025, the band is in the process of writing material for a fourth studio album.[6] Beyond Creation sustained its momentum with extensive touring in the mid-2010s, including the 2015 Summer Slaughter Tour alongside acts like Arch Enemy and Obscura, as well as the 2016 European leg of Obscura's Akróasis Tour with Revocation and Rivers of Nihil.[22] More recently, the band joined Ne Obliviscaris for a North American headline tour in late 2023, and in 2025, they participated in the EU/UK "Aggressive Progressive Tour" with Rivers of Nihil, Cynic, and Dååth.[23][24] In 2025, Beyond Creation announced a North American tour celebrating the 15th anniversary of their debut album The Aura, marking the first time the full record would be performed live, with the trek kicking off in late summer.[5] The band also performed aboard the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise in January 2025, further solidifying their presence in the progressive and technical death metal community.[25]Musical style
Genre characteristics
Beyond Creation's primary genre is technical death metal, characterized by intricate compositions that emphasize virtuosic instrumentation and rhythmic complexity. The band's sound features complex polyrhythms and sweeping arpeggios that drive the music's intensity, often propelled by rapid tempos and blast beats executed with microscopic precision.[3][26] This foundation draws from the Quebecois technical death metal tradition, incorporating erupting scales and fusion-inspired phrasing with a jazzy feel to create dynamic, high-speed passages.[27][3] Signature elements include the prominent use of 8-string and 9-string guitars for extended-range riffing and solos, paired with a 6-string fretless bass that delivers fluid, melodic lines weaving through the aggression. Vocals are delivered in deep, guttural growls by frontman Simon Girard, adding a layer of visceral ferocity to the proceedings. Harmonic structures frequently employ dissonant chords and odd time signatures, such as 7/8 and 5/4, to heighten the music's unpredictability and technical demands.[3][28] Atmospherically, the band balances raw aggression with melodic interludes, incorporating clean passages and ambient introductions that provide contrast and breathing room amid the brutality. This duality splices classic death metal heaviness with progressive curiosity, allowing for beautiful, evolving sections that enhance emotional depth.[3] In comparison to peers, Beyond Creation shares the relentless intensity and precision of Necrophagist while infusing a progressive flair reminiscent of Opeth's melodic explorations.[29][8]Evolution and innovations
Beyond Creation's debut album, The Aura (2011), established the band's foundation in raw technical death metal, characterized by intricate guitar sweeps, arpeggios, and searing vocals that rooted their sound in the genre's aggressive traditions.[19] Songs typically extended 7–10 minutes, allowing for elaborate compositions that emphasized unrelenting complexity and atmospheric depth through prominent fretless bass lines.[19] Simon Girard's custom fretless bass techniques, including glissando effects, played a pivotal role in creating fluid, otherworldly textures that elevated the album's technical ferocity beyond standard death metal conventions.[30] In their mid-period with Earthborn Evolution (2014), the band introduced greater melodic integration and dynamic shifts, blending technical precision with emotional nuance drawn from influences like jazz and progressive rock.[30] This evolution marked a departure from the debut's denser chaos, while preserving core death metal intensity. Girard's bass remained central, now with a more natural production that highlighted its distorted prominence, fostering a sound that balanced brutality with accessibility.[30] The later phase, exemplified by Algorythm (2018), pushed further into experimentation with electronica influences and algorithmic composition themes, resulting in shorter, punchier song structures that prioritized cinematic ambience over exhaustive technicality.[31] Dynamic shifts became more pronounced, featuring melodic interludes and proggy sections that allowed for breathing room, as in tracks with slap bass and glissando for atmospheric enhancement.[31] Kevin Chartré's dual guitar harmonies innovated by mimicking orchestral layers, weaving intricate solos and segues that enriched the album's cohesive, concept-driven narrative.[31] Overall, Beyond Creation's trajectory shifted from brutal technical death metal to a progressive fusion style, sustaining instrumental complexity while enhancing melodic and atmospheric accessibility across their discography.[30] This progression reflects Girard's compositional vision of evolving "colors and movies" in their music, continually integrating diverse elements without abandoning their technical roots.[31] As of September 2025, Beyond Creation is writing material for their fourth studio album, with frontman Simon Girard highlighting advanced progress on themes, ambiances, and vocal experiments. The upcoming release is anticipated to build on their progressive direction, aiming for a more story-driven and dynamic approach.[6][28]Band members
Current members
The current lineup of Beyond Creation consists of four core members who have maintained stability since 2015, contributing to the band's progressive technical death metal sound through their instrumental expertise and collaborative songwriting.[3][2] Simon Girard serves as the lead guitarist and lead vocalist, a role he has held since co-founding the band in 2005. As the primary songwriter, Girard handles both guttural growls and higher-pitched clean vocals, delivering a versatile vocal style that blends aggression with melodic elements across the band's discography. He also takes on production duties for all three studio albums, shaping their intricate compositions from inception to final mix.[1][32][33] Kevin Chartré performs on guitar with backing vocals, joining in 2007 and co-founding the band's early creative direction. His playing emphasizes rhythmic complexity through polyrhythmic patterns and layered guitar harmonies, enhancing the duo's interplay with Girard to create the band's signature sweeping arpeggios and technical depth. Chartré contributes to songwriting and production on every release, focusing on progressive structures that integrate jazz-influenced phrasing.[1][34][32] Philippe Boucher has been the drummer since 2012, providing polyrhythmic precision and explosive blast beats that underpin the band's high-tempo, intricate arrangements. His technical drumming, featuring dense fills and dynamic shifts, supports the progressive elements in tracks from Earthborn Evolution (2014) onward, adding propulsion to the group's complex time signatures.[1][35][3] Hugo Doyon-Karout joined as bassist in 2015, specializing in fretless six-string techniques that deliver melodic bass lines and sliding runs integral to the band's sound. His contributions introduce fluid, jazz-tinged melodies and counterpoint to the guitar work, particularly evident in Algorythm (2018), where his lines weave through the rhythmic framework for added harmonic richness.[1][3][36] Collectively, the members foster a collaborative live energy, with their onstage synergy amplifying the technical precision and emotional dynamics that define Beyond Creation's performances.[37]Former members
Beyond Creation's former members played pivotal roles in the band's formative years and early recordings, establishing its progressive technical death metal foundation before departing for various personal and professional reasons. Nicolas Domingo Viotto served as guitarist from 2005 to 2007, co-founding the band alongside Simon Girard in Montreal, Quebec. As one of the original members, Viotto contributed to the initial songwriting and creative direction during the group's pre-recording phase, helping shape its early sound through collaborative efforts on riffs and structures. He left the band due to a lack of time to commit fully, as stated by frontman Simon Girard in a 2018 interview. Although Viotto did not appear on any official releases, his influence persisted indirectly; he is credited with writing lyrics for two tracks—"Social Disability" and "The Deported"—on the debut album The Aura (2011).[37][13] Guyot Bégin-Benoît was the band's original drummer, active from 2005 to 2012, and provided the foundational rhythms that defined Beyond Creation's complex polyrhythmic style. He performed on the 2010 demo and the full-length debut The Aura (2011), where his technical proficiency and innovative drum arrangements complemented the band's intricate compositions. Bégin-Benoît departed in late 2012; he was replaced by Philippe Boucher, which allowed the band to accelerate its touring and recording schedule. His tenure helped solidify the band's live energy and studio precision during its breakthrough period.[2][1][3] Dominic "Forest" Lapointe joined as bassist in 2010 and remained until 2015, bringing his expertise in 6-string fretless bass to enhance the band's low-end texture and melodic depth. Featured prominently on The Aura (2011) and Earthborn Evolution (2014), Lapointe's playing added a distinctive, fluid dimension to tracks like "Omnipresent Perception" and "The Onset," earning acclaim for its technical virtuosity and integration with the guitar work. He left for personal reasons, as announced by the band in early 2015; his departure prompted the recruitment of Hugo Doyon-Karout, further strengthening the lineup's cohesion. Lapointe's contributions were instrumental in elevating Beyond Creation's reputation for innovative bass lines in the progressive death metal scene.[2][13][38] These early members' departures marked a transition toward a more stable, professional configuration, but their foundational work profoundly influenced the band's evolving sound and enduring appeal.Timeline
The following timeline outlines the key lineup changes for Beyond Creation, based on documented membership periods.| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Simon Girard and Nicolas Domingo Viotto form the band on vocals/guitars and guitars, respectively; Guyot Bégin-Benoît joins on drums.[39] |
| 2007 | Kévin Chartré replaces Nicolas Domingo Viotto on guitars.[39] |
| 2010 | Dominic Lapointe joins on bass.[39] |
| 2012 | Philippe Boucher replaces Guyot Bégin-Benoît on drums.[39][1] |
| 2015 | Hugo Doyon-Karout replaces Dominic Lapointe on bass.[39][1] |
Discography
Studio albums
Beyond Creation has released three studio albums to date. Their debut, The Aura, was self-released on April 12, 2011, and reissued by Season of Mist on March 11, 2013.[3] The album consists of 9 tracks spanning 56 minutes and delves into themes of perception and existence, as reflected in song titles like "Omnipresent Perception" and "The Aura."[13] It was self-produced by the band's founder and frontman, Simon Girard.[1] The follow-up, Earthborn Evolution, arrived on October 28, 2014, via Season of Mist.[3] Featuring 10 tracks over 46 minutes, the record explores human evolution and connections to nature, evident in lyrics addressing biological equilibrium and species decline.[18] Like its predecessor, it was self-produced by Girard.[17] In 2018, the band issued Algorythm on October 12 through Season of Mist, comprising 10 tracks in 51 minutes.[3] The album incorporates algorithmic and technological motifs, examining human interactions, time, and decision-making impacts across meta-geometric concepts.[40] Recorded at The Grid Studio in Canada, it was once again self-produced by Girard.[3] As of November 2025, no additional studio albums have been released. In late 2025, the band announced that recording for their fourth studio album has begun, with drums completed, though no release date has been confirmed.[41]Other releases
Beyond Creation has not released any official EPs to date. The band's only documented non-studio release is a self-produced demo issued in 2010, which played a key role in securing their debut album deal with PRC Music.[10] Titled Promo CD 2010 (also referred to simply as Beyond Creation), this limited-edition demo features five tracks recorded in slipcase packaging and distributed privately by the band. The songs—"Injustice Revealed," "No Request for the Corrupted," "Social Disability," "Omnipresent Perception," and "The Aura"—showcase the group's early progressive technical death metal style, characterized by complex instrumentation and atmospheric elements. Four of the tracks were later re-recorded and included on their debut studio album, The Aura, with enhanced production; Social Disability was not re-recorded for the album.[42][43] Released on September 30, 2010, the demo received limited circulation but helped establish Beyond Creation's reputation within the underground metal scene, leading directly to their first professional recording contract.[2]Music videos
Beyond Creation has released nine official music videos between 2012 and 2020, primarily serving as promotional tools for their studio albums The Aura, Earthborn Evolution, and Algorythm. These videos typically blend high-energy band performances with conceptual and visual effects to underscore the group's progressive technical death metal style, often produced in collaboration with their label Season of Mist.[3] The band's debut video, "Omnipresent Perception" from The Aura (2011), was released in 2012 and directed by Simon Girard, featuring abstract visuals that complement the track's intricate guitar work. In 2015, "Fundamental Process" from Earthborn Evolution (2014) premiered as a performance-style clip captured during a live show in New York City, highlighting the band's synchronized technical execution.[44][45] Two videos arrived in 2017: "Coexistence," a live performance edit of the The Aura track filmed at Les Foufounes Électriques in Montreal and produced by Ismael Mossadeq, and the title track "Earthborn Evolution," which showcases the band's evolving sound through dynamic studio visuals.[46][47][48] The Algorythm (2018) era saw the most prolific video output, with five releases emphasizing a mix of live action and enhanced production amid the album's promotion. "Theatrical Delirium" (2018) incorporates live footage with laser effects, produced by Ismael Mossadeq and Xavier Bossé.[49] "The Inversion" (2018) presents a cinematic approach to illustrate the album's tonal diversity.[50] "In Adversity" (2019) is an official live video shot by Sam Ouimet during the band's European tour supporting Algorythm.[51] "The Afterlife" (2019) follows as a live video premiered to extend the album's reach.[52] The final video, "Surface's Echoes" (2020), was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic and captures the track's atmospheric intensity in a contained setting.[53][54]| Title | Year | Album | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omnipresent Perception | 2012 | The Aura | Abstract visuals, directed by Simon Girard |
| Fundamental Process | 2015 | Earthborn Evolution | Live performance in New York City[44] |
| Coexistence | 2017 | The Aura | Live footage from Montreal venue, produced by Ismael Mossadeq[46] |
| Earthborn Evolution | 2017 | Earthborn Evolution | Studio visuals emphasizing technical style[48] |
| Theatrical Delirium | 2018 | Algorythm | Live action with lasers, produced by Ismael Mossadeq and Xavier Bossé[49] |
| The Inversion | 2018 | Algorythm | Cinematic production highlighting tonal variety[50] |
| In Adversity | 2019 | Algorythm | Live tour footage by Sam Ouimet[51] |
| The Afterlife | 2019 | Algorythm | Live video premiere[52] |
| Surface's Echoes | 2020 | Algorythm | Pandemic-era production[53] |