Intrascendence

For many bands, five years between formation and a debut album might suggest delays, false starts or a lack of direction. For Chilean prog metal outfit Intrascendence, it was quite the opposite. From the moment they came together in 2019, guitarist Omar Alvear says the goal was never simply to make an album – it was to build something capable of competing on an international stage.

“At our first meeting, we said, ‘We want this to be as big as it can be,’” he explains. “This means we had to save money, organise everything, take everything step by step.”

The result was a painstaking process that culminated in the release of their 2025 eponymous debut.

Formed by vocalist Felipe Reyes and guitarist Rodrigo del Canto from the ashes of a glam rock band, Intrascendence  gradually assembled a line-up completed by Alvear, keyboard player Manuel Arriaza and drummer Martin Alvarez. Rather than rush into the studio, they spent years refining both their music and their long-term strategy.

“Our idea was always to go about things the right way to achieve our goals” says Alvear. “We want this to be a worldwide band. If you want that, then you have to work at it.”

That sense of purpose is reflected throughout their debut, a concept album exploring perception, identity and spiritual transformation. The story follows a character who discovers that true growth comes from looking inward rather than seeking answers in the external world. “All of the songs on the album are a step on this journey of inner ascension,” Alvear explains. “All the music and arrangements are made around that lyrical content.”

Their determination mirrors a wider surge in Chilean prog music, a scene Alvear believes is becoming increasingly professional and ambitious. Yet Intrascendence are already looking beyond their homeland. With international shows now a reality, the groundwork laid since 2020 is beginning to pay off. “I’m very excited,” he says. The feeling is mutual.

Julian Marszalek