Review: Ültra Raptör – “Fossilized”

Release date: October 7, 2025

8–12 minutes

Nestled deep within the untamed expanse of eastern Canada, Quebec is more than just a land of mountains, freshwater veins, and ancient forests. It’s a primordial cradle for something far more volatile, where the wild still howls and something powerful stirs from the rugged terrain. Beyond the eyes of modern society, a prehistoric force has emerged: Ültra Raptör.

Formed in 2015 within the neon-lit shadows of Quebec City, this group emerged like a rogue genetic experiment fusing equal parts speed metal fury and sci-fi mysticism. Their early transmissions, the self-titled EP (2018) and debut LP Tyrants (2021), hinted at their volatile potential. Now, after recalibrating their lineup and refining their live arsenal in the trenches of the underground, they return with their most feral offering yet: Fossilized, set to emerge from gestation on October 7th, 2025.

Musically, their DNA is a hybrid strain where the relentless velocity of the German speed metal scene and the mutated heroic grandeur of US power metal titans are spliced together into a unique creation of their own. Their sound is a living beast, pulsing with hard rock muscle and sci-fi adrenaline. Think chrome-plated riffs, hyperspeed solos, and vocals that echo like roars from the distant past.

Thematically, the band drew early influence from the Cadillacs and Dinosaurs universe, and leans heavily into channeling the raw energy of the Xenozoic Age. The band doesn’t just write songs; they conjure sonic landscapes woven together by thunder lizards and turbo charged metal. It all collides together in glorious chaos.

The current line up is:

ÜLTRA RAPTÖR is:

Phil T. Lung – vocals

Criss Raptör – lead guitar

Zoltan Saurus – rhythm guitar

Dick Van Heuß – bass

Tony Bronco – drums

Fossilized by Ultra Raptor drops on October 7, 2025 through Fighter Records,

on CD, 12”LP, Cassette & Digital formats.

If you dare, step into this fantasy world where the primordial and modern worlds collide with speed metal!

Review

The album erupts with its title track, Fossilized, and it’s a sonic stampede that feels like the awakening of something unstoppable. From the first blistering riff and seismic bass throb, they waste no time establishing the primal tone of the record. It’s the sound of genetically enhanced thunder lizards stirring to life. Then, like a meteor strike, Phil T. Lung (vocals) shrieks with a feral “OH YEAH!” It’s a battle cry that rips through the mix like claws through the delicate flesh of the first meal of the day. The track settles into a relentless rhythm, driven by white-hot guitar riffs and cymbal crashes that mimic the chaos of a volcanic eruption. The solo is a full-on rampage, shredding through the sonic landscape with the force of a charging triceratops. This is brutal and unapologetic. It’s powerful enough to pulverize even the most ancient remains. With this opening tune, they stomp in with talons out and looking for prey.

The next track, Spinosaurus, charges in without hesitation, keeping the record’s primordial weight pressing hard on the chest. The jungle trembles as the beast hunts, its massive frame crashing through foliage, eyes locked on prey too slow, too soft, and now too doomed. It opens with a groove-laden jam that is thick and dripping with deliberate ancient swagger from a world untouched by man. The rhythm section pulses like the heartbeat of prey in panic, while the guitars slice through the air with precision and fury. The Spinosaurus feeds and is unchallenged in its domain. The mix is masterfully done. In the charging carnage, you can hear every ear-splitting dive bomb and skull crushing bass drum kick. The power metal influence adds a triumphant edge but make no mistake: this is an apex predator’s anthem.

Hard ‘N Fast tears out of the gate like a pack of raptors in hot rod heading out to the highway. This track is lean, lethal, and locked onto the scent of adrenaline. Echoes of early Judas Priest ripple through the track’s spirit, but here they’re fused with the unique talents of this band. This isn’t just a hard rock banger, it’s a fossil-fueled sprint across scorched earth. The riffs are razor-sharp and relentless, like the jagged lines of a custom hot rod. In the climax, a twin-guitar drag race with majesty and untamed spirit.  It’s the sound of a fire breathing predator aching to speed down the nearest highway while leaving nothing but dust and taillights on the horizon.

Living for the Riff is a power metal anthem carved from the bedrock of sonic devotion. From the first galloping beat, it surges forward and is gloriously loud. This track doesn’t just pick up speed it evolves and gains momentum in its message. It’s a grand celebration of the riff in all its forms: chugging, soaring, and snarling. All a divine offering forged by those brave enough to wield the power of distortion and melody. The song pulses with reverence for the creators: the riffsmiths, the axe-slingers, the sonic shamans who shape the very landscape of heavy music. With triumphant solos and a rhythm section that thunders like a stampede across ancient plains, Living for the Riff is a hymn for the headbangers, a war cry for the creators, and a love letter to the eternal riff. It’s not just music… it’s a way of life! HEAR THE CALL IN YOUR SOUL!

Bitter Leaf emerges from the primordial muck with bass-heavy swagger and a riff that oozes with raw power. The groove is thick, dirty, and deliberate, like trudging through a prehistoric bog with something massive stalking just beyond the trees. As the song unfolds, the tempo shifts into a gallop. It’s another showcase of Ültra Raptör’s musical prowess: tight, dynamic, and fearless in its execution. The riffs continue to evolve, each one juicier than the last, building on the momentum of the album’s fossilized fury. Lyrically, Bitter Leaf carries weight. It’s not a finger-wagging condemnation of indulgence, but rather a call to awaken. A reminder that to truly live, one must be present and fully engaged. No distractions. No dilution.

The sound of breaking glass and a primal scream kick off this high-voltage ride that is X-Celerator. It launches the listener into a whirlwind of classic metal fury. From the first note, it’s clear that this track is pure adrenaline, a sonic centrifuge that spins with reckless abandon. Guitars blaze, bass rumbles like a reactor core, and the drums hit with surgical precision. The chorus is the kind of defiant anthem that begs to be shouted with fists raised and sweat flying. Midway through, a high-flying solo rips through the mix like a lightning bolt, soaring above the chaos before the song descends into a haunting, almost mournful close. Lyrically, X-Celerator is a fragmented tale of scientific experimentation gone awry. The details are sparse, scattered like lab notes after an explosion. The mood is unmistakable: secret military experiments are being performed, and no one is quite sure of their intent or results. The ambiguity adds to the mystique, leaving listeners to piece together the wreckage and wonder what happened to those being experimented on.

Pterö-Ranger is speed incarnate, musically and physically. Yet another blistering track, but this one trades ground-level brutality for aerial terror. The tempo is relentless, a cyclone of riffs and percussion that mimics the beating wings of a predator circling overhead. There’s no safe place here. The monster isn’t lurking in the shadows; it’s soaring above the canopy. Silent and watchful, this flying horror has eyes like obsidian and a hunger that never fades. The guitars slice like talons, the drums mimic the rush of wind before impact, and the bass pulses like the last heartbeat before the kill. The screech may come, but by then it’s already too late. The song captures that moment of dread when you realize you’re prey, and the sky itself has become hostile. Death lurks from above: swift, silent, and merciless. And it’s coming for you

Down the Drain is a showcase of the technical prowess of the band. The riffs twist and surge like a current pulling you under, while the rhythm section locks in with surgical precision. It’s a track that demands attention, not just musically, but thematically. It delivers a clear-eyed message about living with intention. The song leans into the idea that your best life isn’t lived under the haze of influence, especially when the stakes are high. It’s not moralizing, but it doesn’t flinch either. The delivery is firm, almost confrontational, like a friend grabbing your collar and saying, “Wake up.” There’s a sense of urgency here, both in the instrumentation and the message. It’s a reminder that clarity and being present matters in the critical moments. It doesn’t preach; it punches through the noise with conviction.

Le Voyageur d’Oort is a fun instrumental interlude. A guitar driven flight of fancy that brightens the moment. The name suggests a traveler in the remote reaches of space, and the music is appropriate. Fill in the blanks with your own imagination!

Face the Change closes the album with a surge of melodic hard rock that’s both intense and affirming. It’s a love song, but not the soft-focus kind. This is forged in fire, built on resilience, and driven by the kind of connection that endures through chaos. There’s maturity in the arrangement, which exudes a tight, confident, and emotional resonance. You can feel the band leaning into their strengths here, blending melody with muscle. Lyrically, it’s about partnership in the trenches. Life throws punches, but when you’ve got someone who stands firm beside you, the lows become bearable, and the highs feel limitless. It’s a celebration of commitment, not just surviving together but thriving. Face the Change is the sound of two people choosing each other again and again, through storms and sunshine. It’s a fitting finale: uplifting, battle-tested, and ready to rise.

Conclusion

Fossilized is teeming with speed and grit. For the band, it’s a seismic leap forward. Ültra Raptör delivers a record brimming with molten-hot metal, forged with precision and mixed to perfection. The musicianship is undeniable, and the stylistic range (from bloodthirsty predator anthems to messages of clarity and enduring love) shows a band unafraid to explore every corner of their sonic territory.

While echoes of metal’s forefathers ripple through the album, Ültra Raptör doesn’t mimic… they metabolize. The influences are there, but the execution is entirely their own and unmistakably evolved. Whether they’re tearing through jungle underbrush or soaring into emotional heights, the band proves they can do it all without losing their primal edge.

At a high level, there is little to offer in terms of constructive advice or critique. However, most of what could be mustered feels subjective in my own lens versus a grand critique to make a better record. It is metal and not meant to be perfect. There is very little to be unhappy or critical about here.

Fossilized feels like a breakout moment. This is an album that could launch their career into new territory. The next test? Take this beast on the road and let the metal legions feel its full force. With this kind of firepower, Ültra Raptör isn’t just ready, they’re destined to dominate.

Without question, get behind this band. Big things are in store for them!

TheNwothm Score: 9/10

Links

Bandcamp: https://ultraraptor.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UltraRaptor

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ultraraptor_speedmetal

Label: https://fighter-records.bandcamp.com/album/tyrants


Discover more from The Nwothm

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Advertisements