Canadian melodic rock masters Harem Scarem are back with their first album in five years, and Chasing Euphoria is the perfect blend of their classic sound and a modernised version of rock music. Dynamic duo Harry Hess and Pete Lesperance are still at the top of their game, delivering an album filled with memorable melodies, catchy hooks and electrifying guitar playing.
Harem Scarem – Chasing Euphoria
Release Date: 25 April 2025
Words: Taylor Cameron
Since forming the band in 1987, they have been a force to be reckoned with, blessing our ears with hard rock anthems and powerful rock ballads since their debut self-titled album was released in 1991. 
Chasing Euphoria kicks off a new era for the band, showcasing that they are back and stronger than ever. The title track starts the album strong with a darker tone in its verses. Harem Scarem still bring that melodic charm and a pop chorus, setting up the album perfectly.
“Chasing Euphoria encapsulates everything about Harem Scarem from the late ’80s to 2025,” Hess told us. “This is the flagship song from our new record, and we are very excited for everyone to hear it.”
Better The Devil You Know, Slow Burn and Gotta Keep Your Head Up follow, keeping the energy high. Original drummer Darren Smith takes on lead vocals for Gotta Keep Your Head Up. His vocals always blend into a Harem Scarem album seamlessly, adding another uniqueness to the band.
Falling in the middle of the album is power ballad World On Fire. Slowing it down at the perfect time, this track adds a great sense of dynamism to the album.
A common theme in Harem Scarem album releases is the state of the world and the struggles of life within it. A topic that can often be quite grim, they deliver these themes in a relatable and engaging manner. The lyrical content is never oversaturated, being able to tell a story within their songs in an interesting way.
From the crunchy guitar tone in A Falling Knife and utterly catchy chorus in In A Bad Way to the rhythmic drum beats keeping time in Wasted Years, the second half of the album kicks back into high gear, closing out the album on an extremely high note.
Hess’ dynamic vocal melodies and Lesperance’s perfectly curated guitar licks are a match made in heaven, continuing to prove that even 34 years later, a Harem Scarem record is one that will have you hooked from beginning to end. They continue to remain consistent in their work, proving that they are still at the top of their game and aren’t going anywhere.
About to take on stages across Europe, the band are back in full force, playing the first live shows in seven years, including a show at The Underworld on 28 April 2025. Seventh Crystal will be special guests.
Harem Scarem are ready to interact and play for audiences across the globe.
Harem Scarem will release Chasing Euphoria on 25 April 2025 via Frontiers Music Srl. Pre-orders are available from here.
