Hangman's Chair
Hangman's Chair were a French doom metal band formed in Crosne, Essonne, in 2005. The group's final lineup consisted of vocalist and guitarist Cédric Toufouti, guitarist Julien Chanut, bassist Clément Hanvic and drummer Mehdi Birouk Thépegnier.
With roots in the hardcore punk scene and after participating in several local bands, Chanut, Thépegnier and Sid-Ahmed Azzouni formed Hangman's Chair. The band's debut album, (A Lament for...) The Addicts (2007) featured Kéo Nackphouminh on vocals. After Nackphouminh's departure and the group's reconfiguration in 2008, they released Leaving Paris in 2010. Azzouni died in 2010.
With a stable lineup in place, Hangman's Chair launched an album trilogy, beginning with Hope /// Dope /// Rope (2012). At the time, the band sought to dissociate themselves from the stoner and sludge metal designations and found a musical identity with that album. This Is Not Supposed To Be Positive (2015) introduced gothic melodies and cold wave synthesisers into their sound. On their fifth album, Banlieue Triste (2018), the band began to adopt a more introspective style focused on personal themes and to showcase their blend of doom metal and post-punk atmospherics. They then signed with Spinefarm Records for worldwide releases. The band also received media exposure in France.
Hangman's Chair left Spinefarm and signed with Nuclear Blast Records in 2021. They commenced a new trilogy with A Loner (2022), driven by the desire for a different sound. Characterised by a more melodic, atmospheric style and gothic sounds, the album produced the singles "Loner", "Who Wants To Die Old" and "Cold & Distant". Picking up where A Loner left off, Saddiction (2025) saw the band further exploring the sonic aspect and the post-punk and cold wave facets of their influences. It spawned several singles, including "2 am Thoughts". Their lyrics generally explore dark and gloomy themes, set against the backdrop of urban landscapes, primarily in Paris and its suburbs. Their discography demonstrates a gradual transition towards a clean singing voice. Hangman's Chair suspended their activities in November 2025 for an indefinite period.
Similar Artists