Dark Sanctuary – Cernunnos
Origin: France
Release: 17.03.2023
Label: Avant-garde music
Duration: 01:05:00
Genre: Neo Classical / Dark Wave
Almost three decades of stage and studio experience Dark Sanctuary meanwhile look back.
They weren’t always steady and connected with one or the other break, but the neoclassical quartet is now launching its eighth album. Cernunnos takes the stage on vinyl, CD and digital.
The album’s name comes from an ancient Celtic deity symbolizing the biological course of life including death and resurrection. So the album gives itself a more or less philosophical character. It’s kept dark and melancholic. Lush strings and keyboard sounds in the form of rich piano sounds determine the sound image and convey a by no means sad but omnipresent melancholy to the listener.
A typical representative of the album is Alonethat her HERE can hear. Translated it means something like lonely, and the song conveys this feeling very well. The singing gets by without real lyrics and is choral. A certain closeness to nature often adheres to neoclassical projects, Dark Sanctuary are no exception in this regard. So you shouldn’t be averse to a good shot of folk either.
The comeback succeeds comprehensively
Highlights of Cernunnos are the opener Mother Ocean with its sparkling piano sounds and the almost shadowy accompanying violin work. Most likely are Dark Sanctuary probably with Dead Can Dance comparable. The song structures, the sublime vocal choirs and the almost frighteningly dark instrumentation allow for a comparison. And when it comes to intensity, the French can definitely hold a candle to their role models. Likewise in Asphodelwhose strings add a touch of drama.
The listener should have a soft spot for sacred songs when enjoying this album in particular and Dark Sanctuary generally bring it with you. He is rewarded with an incomparable journey through broad dark folk / neoclassic landscapes. Lovers of neoclassical material will surely enjoy the record, even if there are no surprises and the band does not reinvent themselves following their long break.
Conclusion
On the meanwhile eighth album by Dark Sanctuary is advised to make a comeback! The band embarks on familiar territory and sets out to soar above neoclassical soundscapes.
8 / 10
Line Up
Dame Pandora – Life
Arkdae – Keyboards, Gitarren
Ahesdis – Violins
Hylgaryss – Keyboards, Gitarren
Sombre Cÿr – bass, percussion
Tracklist
01. Mother Ocean
02. The Last Raindrops
03. Eternal Glory
04. Alone
05. Cernunnos
06. Asphodel
07. Winter
08. My Complaint
09. Solstice
10. One Day
11. La Fin D’une Me (Towards a New Dream)
Links
Facebook Dark Sanctuary
Webseite Dark Sanctuary
Also on Soundmagnet.eu
Album Review – Djiin – Meandering Soul
Interview – Dragonbreed, asked by Sebastian Jensen
Album Review – Riverside – ID.Entity
Cool article? Discuss with us on Facebook!
