When you think of melodic death metal fused with the power and energy of thrash, Hamilton, Ontario’s Lutharo should be on your radar. We caught up with the band’s powerhouse vocalist Krista Shipperbottom to talk about their new album Chasing Euphoria, their journey so far, and why Black Sabbath still rules her playlist.
From Incarnitine to Lutharo: The Origin Story
Originally going by the name Incarnitine, the band made an early pivot. Krista explains:
“We found out the name was already taken, so we decided to change it. We’re all huge Lord of the Rings fans, so I started looking into Elvish words. ‘Lutharo’ stood out—it means ‘The Enchanter.’ It just felt right.”
They even briefly had umlauts in the name, but eventually dropped them due to constant confusion. “People kept mispronouncing it, so we figured it was better to keep it simple,” Krista laughed.
Metal Beginnings: From Classic Rock to Megadeth
Music was always around Krista growing up.
“My dad was really into classic rock and always blasting music at home. He worked at audio stores too, so it was kind of everywhere.”
But it was in high school that she fell in love with metal—specifically, thanks to Megadeth.
“They were the gateway band for me. That’s when everything changed.”
Chasing Euphoria: A Sonic Evolution
Lutharo’s sophomore full-length, Chasing Euphoria, marks a leap forward in both sound and songwriting.
“It’s not a continuation of our debut, Hiraeth, but it’s definitely a more mature version of who we are now,” says Krista. “We’ve grown a lot since that record, and it shows.”
The album was recorded at Coho Studios with drummer Corey Hoffing behind the boards, while the drums were tracked at a separate location. Mixing and mastering were handled by Lasse Lammert in Germany, known for his work with Hailstorm, Gloryhammer, and more.
A Loose Concept With Deep Roots
While Chasing Euphoria isn’t a concept album per se, there’s an emotional thread running through it.
“It’s about chasing the feeling of being fully alive—feeling present, joyful, at peace. It’s about not dissociating, not just floating through life. It’s finding that safe space to be yourself.”
On Tour: From Gloryhammer to Grit
Lutharo has been hitting the road hard, and Krista reflects on how different every tour can be.
“Last year’s tour with Alestorm and Gloryhammer was wild—massive crowds every night. This current tour is more intimate, different vibe, but just as exciting in its own way.”
The Atomic Fire Partnership & Staying DIY
The band recently signed with Atomic Fire Records, a move that’s opening new doors without compromising their hands-on approach.
“They were one of our top choices because they’re established but not overwhelming. They help us reach a broader audience without us losing our voice. But really, most of what you see—from merch to promotion—is still just us grinding.”
The same goes for their promo team, C-Squad, who they’ve worked with since Hiraeth. Krista mentions that their manager, Corey, is also part of the C-Squad crew, making it a tight-knit collaboration.
A Love for Epics and Local Metal
Asked whether every album will end with an epic closer:
“It’s kind of become our thing! Both our EPs and albums so far have ended with big, sweeping tracks. We’ll probably keep that going.”
As for local bands, Krista recommends Ammo, a Toronto-based band bringing an old-school heavy metal vibe to the scene.
Favorite Album? No Contest.
Krista doesn’t hesitate when naming her all-time favorite record:
“Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath. It was one of my first discoveries into heavy music. I’ve even got lyrics from them tattooed on me.”
Final Words for the Fans
“Thank you so much for the support. We hope you love Chasing Euphoria, and we can’t wait to see you on the road. Stay metal!”
Stay heavy. Support the underground. Long live metal.
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