PRESS RELEASE:
The Dark Night of the Soul
by Bleak Sanctuary
Tracklist:
1.Atonement
2.Cold Winds 04:32
3.Fortress 03:18
4.Avalanche
5.Ruins
6.Triumph
7.Fernweh
8.Dunkelheit
The dark and lonely experience of chronic illness and isolation became the ultimate catalyst for the creation of Bleak Sanctuary. Faced with a life-altering diagnosis at the age of 24 and a global pandemic, Dacian the Wanderer took it upon himself to dive deep into his own dark night of the soul to find healing and eventual beauty in suffering. The music of Bleak Sanctuary is itself a means of catharsis for the artist, converting not only the weight of his burdens but also the passion and conviction that healing is attainable.
Stylistically, Bleak Sanctuary defies categorization, dwelling in the realms of black metal, gothic metal, and melodic death metal, while forging an unconventional path with grooves and percussive rhythms that challenge genre norms. Amidst the sound of distorted guitars and drums, a mesmerizing esoteric ensemble of instruments is also introduced, casting an otherworldly spell that paints a dark, mystical landscape. Dacian's visceral screams and guttural growls, steeped in raw emotion, become a conduit for pain, forging an ethereal connection that allows the listener to feel his struggle.
Born in Brazil, raised in the United States, and now finding creative refuge in Germany, Dacian’s music transcends continents. While conceived and partially produced in his hometown outside New York City, the completion and the first live performance unfolded in southern Germany. As the album unfolds, a glimpse into Dacian's transformative journey becomes apparent - a journey from vulnerability to strength, from weakness to newfound resilience. The yearning for travel, for renewal, is palpable, echoing the transformative process of self-discovery in a distant land. German text subtly weaves into the album's fabric, a testament to the inspiration drawn from this new creative home. "The Dark Night of the Soul" today stands as a testament to Dacian's adventurous spirit, a living auditory travel diary that encapsulates the essence of his profound, transformative wanderlust.
In 2022, within the picturesque city of Passau, Germany, Dacian's musical odyssey took an unexpected turn when he joined forces with Leo the Restless, Vígny the Protector and Velrin the Hermit. In the subsequent year, 2023, Dacian propelled the project forward with the release of two singles, marking the band’s live debut with concerts held in various cities across Bavaria and Upper Austria.
releases February 23, 2024
All music and lyrics by Dacian The Wanderer
Drums and Guitars engineered by Chris Iorio at Purchase College
Mixed by Jonathan Jetter for Right Angle Recordings
Mastered by Tony Lindgren for Fascination Street Studios
Special Thanks:
Chris Iorio for engineering the recording of drums for the entire album and guitars for the following songs: "Cold Winds," "Fortress" and "Avalanche."
Tim Wood and Alan Ramirez for chanting with me on "Atonement."
Edoardo Traio and Stella Beroš for recording their voices on "Dunkelheit," and Stella for writing the stanza in German.
Jonathan Jetter for mixing the 6 full-length tracks.
Christophe Szpajdel for designing the logo for Bleak Sanctuary.
Tony Lindgren for mastering the album.
My bandmates, Leo the Restless, Vîgny the Protector and Velrin the Hermit for helping bring these songs onto the stage.
https://bleaksanctuary.bandcamp.com/
https://bleaksanctuary.com/
