ABOUT Sulfator

Short biography

Sulfator is a progressive thrash metal band from Toulouse, France, active between 2013 and 2016, and reformed in 2019.

Rooted in classic thrash metal influences such as Megadeth, Annihilator and Testament, and progressive metal acts like Symphony X, the band gradually reshaped its sound toward a more extreme and technical direction. Drawing inspiration from Vektor, Obscura, Opeth and Dismember, Sulfator now blends technical precision, aggressive riffing and progressive atmospheres with black and death metal elements.

Throughout its career, the band has played over thirty shows, including festivals and club concerts, and self-released its debut EP Feed the Demon in 2015. In 2025, Sulfator independently released its first full-length album, GEMINI, a concept-driven record combining technical, melodic and aggressive progressive thrash metal.

Sulfator was formed in 2013 from the ashes of the band Headcrush by Romain and Pierre-Axel, joined by Romain’s brother Tanguy on bass and Quentin on drums. From the outset, the band drew strong influence from the melodic efficiency and sharp riffing of classic thrash metal acts such as Annihilator, Testament and Megadeth.

Working independently, Sulfator began writing and producing its first material, leading to the self-recorded four-track EP Feed the Demon. The release already showcased elements that would later define the band’s identity: early clean vocal lines, melodic guitar leads and structured songwriting built on aggressive foundations.

Between 2014 and 2016, Sulfator actively performed across the south of France, playing shows in cities such as Toulouse, Bordeaux and Montpellier. The band took part in multiple local band competitions as a way to gain exposure and establish its presence within the regional metal scene. During this period, Sulfator wrote the track Dishonored, which would become a staple of their live set and remains the closing song of their shows to this day.

Alongside touring, the band became involved in concert organization, notably hosting the American crossover thrash band Lich King in Toulouse during their European tour. At the same time, Sulfator had begun working on a full-length heavy thrash album. However, the release of Vektor’s Terminal Redux in May 2016 marked a turning point. The album profoundly changed the band’s approach to composition, leading them to abandon their existing material and restart the writing process from the ground up.

In October 2016, due to personal and professional reasons, Romain left Toulouse. With its main driving force gone, the band was placed on hold and entered a hiatus that would last more than three years.

REBIRTH (2016-2024)

After being put on hold in late 2016, Sulfator remained inactive for over three years. During that period, the band’s musical direction continued to evolve internally, shaped by new influences and a growing dissatisfaction with conventional heavy thrash structures.

In 2019, Sulfator gradually came back to life. Romain and Pierre-Axel resumed writing with a clear intention to move beyond the band’s original framework. The arrival of Bastien (drums) and Antoine (bass) marked a decisive turning point, both musically and on a human level. Their input brought renewed energy, technical depth and a more open approach to composition.

The band abandoned the idea of a straightforward heavy thrash album and instead focused on longer forms, complex structures and darker tonalities. Influences expanded toward progressive and extreme metal, with a stronger emphasis on atmosphere, dynamics and narrative cohesion.

This period was largely dedicated to writing, refining and rebuilding the project from the ground up. Rather than rushing back to the stage, Sulfator chose to take time to define a new identity, laying the foundations for what would eventually become GEMINI.

The GEMINI project began with the collective writing of a science-fiction storyline by the four members of Sulfator.
Before any music was composed, the narrative framework, its stakes and its progression were defined through long discussions and shared references, ranging from Foundation and Hyperion to Neon Genesis Evangelion and Attack on Titan. This narrative groundwork set the direction for the album and guided every compositional decision.

The writing process unfolded over an extended period. Chaos Division, the album’s most aggressive track, was completed first, while Imperium, the opening piece, required more than a year and a half of writing. Each track was conceived to represent a precise moment in the story, both musically and structurally. Instruments were treated as independent voices within the narrative, not as layered textures.

This period marked a decisive shift in Sulfator’s sound. To match the darker direction of the project, Romain transitioned from rough clean vocals to a more extreme vocal approach.
Tracks such as Path of Gemini, depicting the protagonist’s transformation into a dark entity, rely on divergent instrumental lines that gradually converge. Voidblast embodies rage and collapse, while Genomorphis follows mutation, control and the rise of the Imperium. Protocol Zero, originally written during the band’s early album drafts, was entirely rewritten and integrated into this new narrative context.

Recording began in December 2023 at Antistatic Studio in Toulouse, under the direction of David Castel, and was completed in March 2024. The sessions included soprano vocalist Rita Ramony on Imperium, Path of Gemini and Obsidian Son, adding a distinct melodic and dramatic layer to the album. Mixing and mastering were carried out at Antistatic Studio, leading to the release of GEMINI on January 9th, 2025.

Since its worldwide release, the album’s universe has been extended to the stage. Lighting is used as a structural element of the live set, reinforcing dynamics and tension rather than spectacle. Sulfator is currently performing in France and actively seeking dates across Europe. Check next tour dates here.