German black metallers Naxen have announced the band’s eagerly anticipated sophomore full-length album, entitled “Descending Into a Deeper Darkness”, which has been slated for release on May 3rd, 2024, through Vendetta Records.
Since their inception in 2018, Naxen has become one of the most promising and prolific bands in the contemporary underground black metal scene. Following the acclaimed previous releases “Towards the Tomb of Times” (2020) and “The Perilous Path of Pain” (2021, EP), on “Descending Into a Deeper Darkness” Naxen further develops their violent and unrelenting approach to depressive black metal.
The band’s upcoming record is not a concept album in the common sense, but for each of the four songs, LN (songwriter, guitarist, and lyricist of Naxen) has developed and conceptualised separate ideas. Every song takes up elements of each other and thus presenting an intricate and interwoven work of concepts. These embody the beliefs that all hope is lost, dread encapsulates existence, life is the trauma of birth and, finally, the irrefutable futility of all flesh. The album dives headfirst into these concepts imbued with triumphant darkness and the inescapability of sadness and pain.
In sonic terms, Naxen is a blend of traditional black metal with contemporary influences that result in their own interpretation of depressive black metal. The above mentioned songs are auditory renditions of pain, existential dread and despair through atmospheric structures, melancholic melodies, elaborated drums and bleak lyricism.
LN, Naxen’s singer and guitarist, shares insight on “Descending Into a Deeper Darkness”:
“To me this album is a contemporary representation of this band and its growth in terms of aesthetics and capabilities. Black Metal is my beloved means to relive and release my own trauma and emotional dysregulation. As such ‘DIADD’ presents a new approach to depressive black metal in terms of darkness, pain, sadness and despair without falling into well-known tropes and self-loathing platitudes. This band to me was always meant to represent the sound of weakness, but not to be weak in presentation. I wanted an album ending in triumph and strength to fully embrace darkness and despair”.
“Descending Into a Deeper Darkness” showcases Naxen’s evolution as songwriters as well as highlighting their growth and maturity as a band. With this upcoming release, Naxen solidifies their position as one of the most exciting and innovative acts in the underground black metal scene, promising a captivating and immersive journey into the depths of darkness.
The album has been produced and mixed by Fabian Schulz at Sunsetter Studio and was mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. “Descending Into a Deeper Darkness” will be coming out on May 3rd, 2024, via Vendetta Records.
Tracklist:
1. Our Souls Shall Fall Forever
2. To Writhe in the Womb Of Night
3. A Shadow in the Fire – Pt. III (A Life Led By Loss)
4. Triumphant Tongue of a Thousand Swords
Line-up:
LN – Guitars and Vocals
SP – Bass
FH – Drums
Weblinks:
www.facebook.com/NAXENBM
www.instagram.com/naxenbm
