Sowulo reveals “Āsteorfan” (“To Die”), the first single from the upcoming studio album “NIHT” — a composition steeped in mourning, transformation, and the intimate embrace of Night. Written during a period of profound grief following the loss of both his father and stepfather, composer Faber Horbach channels personal sorrow into a meditative piece that explores death not as a finality, but as a portal toward clarity and spiritual awakening.
Musically, “Āsteorfan” is grounded in ancient instrumentation and ritualistic textures. The resonance of nyckelharpa and carnyx merges with deep percussion and throat singing, creating a sonic terrain that feels both ancestral and sacred. The minimal yet immersive arrangement evokes the inner descent into silence and stillness, offering a moment of surrender that echoes far beyond the self. Through Anglo-Saxon verses, the song urges the listener to “die before you die, and know death is not the end,” dissolving the ego to make space for deeper wisdom.
“Āsteorfan” marks a threshold moment within “NIHT”, a concept album that journeys through the darkness of the subconscious, cycles of decay, and the spiritual teachings of the Moon.
The accompanying music video, directed & filmed by Jasper van Gheluwe with colour grading done by Micky Huijsmans, can be watched below.
“NIHT” is set for release on August 29th, 2025, through Season of Mist.
Available Formats:
• Digital Download
• CD Digipak
• 2×12” Vinyl Gatefold – Black
• 2×12” Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Surprise Colour, Fully Recycled Vinyl
• 2×12” Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Black & White Marbled
Pre-order & pre-save “NIHT” here.
Tracklist:
1. Niwe Mōna (1:03)
2. Seolfren Sicol (3:43)
3. Āsteorfan (4:00)
4. Sōl ond Māni (5:24)
5. Full Mōna (4:18)
6. Miċele Steorran (4:33)
7. Mōnaþblōd (4:12)
8. Nihtēagan (4:04)
9. Carnyx (3:46)
10. Eald Mōna (5:22)
11. Swefnian (4:14)
12. Heolstor Sċeadu (4:04)
13. Genihtian (1:35)
Sowulo is the evocative musical work of Faber Horbach, blending the spiritual philosophy of ancient Northern Europe with the continuous cycles of the universe.
Through the use of a wide array of historical instruments, melancholic melodies, and philosophical lyrics in Anglo-Saxon, Sowulo crafts an immersive sonic landscape that invites listeners to embark on an inner journey.
Weaving together the sounds of instruments like the Carnyx, Nyckelharpa, Celtic Harp, Shaman drums, Blow horns, Irish Bouzouki, Taglharpa, Lyre, Viola and various traditional vocal techniques, Sowulo shapes its distinctive sound.
The name “Sowulo”, meaning “Sun” in Proto-Germanic, reflects the essence of the music. As we circle the sun, we feel the cyclical nature of life: day and night, the four seasons, birth and death, and the eternal dance between decay and renewal.
Line-up:
Faber Horbach | Vocals, Throat singing, Nyckelharpa, Carnyx, Irish bouzouki, Percussion, Synths & VST
Micky Huijsmans | Vocals
Chloe Bakker | Celtic triplett harp
Maria Angeles Chaparro Fuentes | Viola
Rikke Linssen | Violin
Heleen de Jonge | Cello
Tessa van Genderen | Carnyx, Bukkehorn, Blowhorns
Bart van den Brink | Taglharpa
Tim Elfring | Small percussion
Production Credits:
Recorded at Lil’ Heaven Studios, Arnhem, The Netherlands
Produced by Faber Horbach
Recorded by Faver Horbach & Alain Kalender
Mixed by Fieke van den Hurk & Marie de Koning at DearWorld Studio and Studio MDK
Mastered by Erwin Maas at eMastering
Cover Art:
Album & artwork concept | Faber Horbach
Line artwork and graphic design development | Micky Huijsmans
Graphic design | Travis Smith
Weblinks:
www.sowulo.nl
www.facebook.com/Sowulo
