HAREM SCAREM – Chasing Euphoria [2-disc Japanese Edition / Bonus CD] (2025), MP3+FLAC

Canadian melodic hard rockers HAREM SCAREM released a new LP – their first in 5 years – last April, and without a doubt, it could be ‘the album of the year’. Their new record is an absolute belter for all Melodic Hard Rock fans and shows clearly why, when a discussion arises on who are the current heavyweights of the scene, the list of names being bantered about cannot avoid a mention of Harem Scarem.

Chasing Euphoria brings back the band’s classic sound and shows the group at the top of their game. A cohesive unit still able to deliver a power-rock-packed punch, swaggering riffs, and hooks to die for. Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance show the world that their partnership still shine bright.
To enjoy the album even more, we are featuring in exclusive “Chasing Euphoria [2-disc Japanese Edition / Bonus CD]“, including an extra disc with different versions of some songs.

Harry Hess (vocals), Pete Lesperance (guitar/bass), Darren Smith (backing & lead vocals), and Creighton Doane (drums) have created a magnificent hard rock masterpiece in Chasing Euphoria, an album that sounds like a brother record to Mood Swings. A record we’ve been waiting for, for a long time. The logo and cover art match the Mood Swings era.
Joining the band are ex- Honeymoon Suite keyboardist Ray Coburn, and Coney Hatch bassist Andy Curran (on “Better Than the Devil You Know”).
The ten new songs here are among the best written by this band. The Japanese release includes four bonus acoustic renderings, plus a DVD with two music videos and an exclusive “Making Of” video. The album was, as usual, produced by Harry and Pete.

One of Harem Scarem’s trademark sounds is the blend of Harry Hess’ vocals, layered in with Darren and the band. The opening title track is thick with that sound on the impactful chorus. Like classic Harem, this one boasts dark but still uplifting melodies with powerful hard rock. Importantly, Pete’s guitar tone is right in the pocket of what we loved about him back in 1993. His solo here could have fit on Mood Swings without a blink.

The upbeat “Better Than the Devil You Know” is a brighter song, with softer verses and a regal chorus. It brings warm feelings and nostalgia of happy days. Pete’s solo on this song is lyrical and dexterous. “Better the devil you know, than you angel you see,” advises Harry Hess.
Chunkier riffing characterizes the speedy “Slow Down”, but what I really like about it is the way Pete goes from rhythm guitar to tricky fills, seamlessly. This rocker is an album highlight, on a record filled with nothing but. The chorus is surprising when it hits, and catchy as the flu. Pete’s solo is an album highlight.

Darren Smith makes his only lead vocal on “Gotta Keep Your Head Up”, a mid-tempo groove with impact. Darren’s voice is a bit raspier than Harry’s, but they blend so well on the choruses. This is one of those inspirational rock songs about not giving up or backing down. The subtle backing keyboards really add texture. Another winner.

The first ballad of the album is “World On Fire”, which would be the side one closer in a vinyl world. This is a sentimental song very much like early Harem Scarem, possibly fitting best into the Voice of Reason era (1995). In a near-perfect album, this song ranks near the bottom, which isn’t really a bad thing on an album like this. The layers of backing vocals plus Pete’s solo adds some meat to the bones.
“In A Bad Way” returns the chunky Pete rhythm guitar to the forefront. The roaring chorus of “I’m in need of your love in a bad way,” is the song highlight. Pete’s solo is a little different, and a lot cool.

Softer is “Reliving History”, but it’s not a ballad. Even when Harem Scarem write a song that is a little more laid back, they manage to inject it with power. This is a Leppard-like song circa Adrenalize.
The heaviest song is “A Falling Knife”, a fast rocker with Harry giving it all vocally, sometimes breaking into a hoarse rasp, but without ever losing control. This is probably the only song that has a late-90s Harem Scarem vibe. It could fit on albums like Karma Cleansing or Big Bang Theory as well as this one. The lush backing vocals are a Harem Scarem trademark and the backing organ thickens the soup.

“Understand It All” dials the heaviness back a tad, and compensates with great verses and an absolutely killer chorus, dense with those Harem Scarem vocals. Pete’s guitars balance the rhythm parts with catchy fills in a tasty way, and his solo is killer as ever.
Wasted Years” is the highspeed closer, an album highlight and an absolute smoker. It has the tension and the melodic power that classic Harem Scarem has always embodied. One of the best tracks, in an album with nothing but “best tracks”.

It’s all over before you know it, but Harem Scarem always give the Japanese releases a little extra. This release comes with four stripped back acoustic versions: “Better Than the Devil You Know”, “Slow Burn”, “In A Bad Way” and “Reliving History”.
It has been said that if you want to know if you wrote a good song, play it acoustically and see. All these songs pass the acoustic test, though the album versions will remain the mainstays. These acoustic tracks are a nice coda. They give you a little extra, without compromising quality by including filler songs. It’s like a comedown after a wild ride, though Pete’s acoustic solos sure have spark.

Best album by Harem Scarem in a long time.

CD1-1 Chasing Euphoria 3:33
CD1-2 Better The Devil You Know 3:55
CD1-3 Slow Burn 3:45
CD1-4 Gotta Keep Your Head Up 3:24
CD1-5 World On Fire 3:49
CD1-6 In A Bad Way 3:38
CD1-7 Reliving History 3:29
CD1-8 A Falling Knife 3:52
CD1-9 Understand It All 4:09
CD1-10 Wasted Years 3:44
CD2-11 Better The Devil You Know [Acoustic] 3:54
CD2-12 Slow Burn [Acoustic] 3:46
CD2-13 In A Bad Way [Acoustic] 3:23
CD2-14 Reliving History [Acoustic] 3:21

MP3 FLAC M4a thx M/B!