Ethereal Darkness
Ethereal Darkness emerged in 2018 as the solo project of guitarist/vocalist Lars, who channeled his vision for atmospheric melodic death metal into a debut album that would quickly establish the band’s signature sound – a compelling fusion of melodeath with doom
and black metal elements.
The project’s first single “Forgotten Shadows” (November 2018) garnered immediate attention from the metal community, paving the way for the critically acclaimed debut album “Smoke and Shadows” (February 2019). The album’s success prompted Lars to transform Ethereal Darkness into a full band, recruiting Brecht (guitars, clean vocals), Mike (bass), and Peter (drums) to bring the material to the stage.
The band spent the latter half of 2019 building a formidable live reputation. While the pandemic of 2020 halted their momentum, Ethereal Darkness used this period constructively, focusing on crafting their sophomore album. By late 2021, they had
completed the initial version of “Echoes.”
2022 marked a breakthrough year for Ethereal Darkness, with performances at prestigious European festivals including Dark Mental Festival (Denmark), Alcatraz Metal Fest (Belgium), and Darken The Moon, sharing stages with genre titans like Behemoth, Arch Enemy,
Insomnium, and Harakiri for the Sky.
In 2023, the band primarily focused on perfecting their sophomore album, bringing legendary producer Dan Swanö on board for mixing and mastering. In 2024, they expanded their lineup with the addition of lead guitarist Zjesse, enabling them to fully realize their increasingly complex compositions in a live setting.
After a five-year wait, Ethereal Darkness returned with “The Cycle” in late 2024, followed by “On The Edge of The Cliff” in early 2025. Both singles have received widespread acclaim for their masterful blend of atmospheric elements and crushing melodic death metal.
Crux Tenebris
Dark, brooding, and steeped in gothic mysticism, Crux Tenebris weaves a sound that feels like an incantation summoned from the abyss. Their blend of blackened doom and post-metal elements creates a dynamic, immersive experience—one moment delicate and melancholic, the next crushingly heavy. Their music paints sonic landscapes of forgotten ruins and endless nights, each song a solemn journey through grief and introspection. A perfect act for those who embrace the cold beauty of acts like Agalloch and Draconian.
Aldrig
Aldrig takes a more minimalist yet deeply evocative approach, leaning into the raw, unfiltered emotions of funeral doom. Their songs unfold slowly, each note lingering in the air like a ghostly presence. Sparse yet powerful, Aldrig’s music is a meditation on solitude and existential weight, drawing listeners into a trance-like state. With influences ranging from Shape of Despair to Mournful Congregation, they craft a sound that is both devastating and cathartic.
Each of these bands brings a unique shade of melancholy to the night, ensuring an experience that is as immersive as it is unforgettable. Whether through soaring melodies, crushing doom-laden riffs, or ethereal atmospheres, this lineup is a tribute to the beauty of sorrow in its purest musical form.