Originating from the suburbs of Paris, Rise of the Northstar have spent the past ten years crafting a fiercely independent identity—one forged in manga influences, martial aesthetics, and an unwavering commitment to cross-genre extremity. With a catalogue built on intensity and a visual language as sharp-edged as their riffs, the band’s latest release, Back 2 Basics, is both a declaration of principles and a battle cry aimed squarely at doubters.

“LDMVS and Rise of the Northstar have been sharing stages for a decade now,” explains frontman Vithia. “Over the years, we’ve fought to keep this new wave of heavy music alive in France. There’s nothing harder than going it alone—keeping your inner fire burning against the odds to realise your purpose. This track captures that struggle in the rawest form possible. It’s a return to where it all began. A message to anyone who’s written us off: we haven’t let go of the dream, and we’re here to fly the flag for French metal.”

The single also marks the beginning of a new creative partnership with Flo, the powerhouse vocalist of Marseille-based outfit Landmvrks. Lead guitarist Eva-B describes the process: “I approached this track differently—I wanted to break away from our patterns and introduce a more melodic chorus to contrast the aggression. As soon as the idea of involving Flo came up, we knew he’d bring something special. He recorded his parts down in Marseille and sent back a version that just clicked. The energy, the impact—it was undeniable. This track is a turning point.”

For Flo, the collaboration was a natural fit: “Having grown up immersed in anime, manga, and hardcore, I’ve always had huge respect for what Rise of the Northstar do. They’re bold, original—and working with them on this song was a real pleasure. Get ready: this one hits hard.”