Premiere: Splendidula ‘Somnus’ – New Album Drops Tomorrow
Although they released their self-titled debut back in 2013, Splendidula are a new name at Shaman HQ as for some reason, their previous albums completely passed us by. So let’s rectify that right now as tomorrow, 29th January, the Belgium five piece will be releasing their third album, simply entitled Somnus via Italy’s Argonauta Records.
The six track, forty three minute long player is more of a journey, than an onslaught, as it navigates through twists and turns of gothic laden doom and sludge as Kristien Cools harrowing vocals juxtapose the apocalyptic screams of Pieter Chromiak. And now, a day before its official release, you can stream Somnus in its entity below, while the vinyl and CD are available over on the labels webstore.
More on Splendidula & ‘Somnus’
Splendidula was formed in 2008 in Genk (Belgium).The self-titled debut album was released on June 22th 2013, and was described as a mix of traditional doom and alternative rock with sludge grooves and psychedelic drones, for open-minded fans of experimental genres.
After some serious line-up changes the music evolved to a psychedelic mix of post, sludge & doom metal, with some additional grunts for a heavier sound.
The current line-up consists of Kristien Cools (vocals), Pieter Houben (guitar &vocals), David Vandegoor (guitar), Peter Chromiak (bass) & Joachim Taminau (drums & samples).
The second album Post Mortem was mixed and mastered by Hearse Studio, released in 2018 by Inverse Records (CD & digital) and in 2019 by Dust & Bones Records (vinyl).The album creates a musical landscape of intense and modern post/sludge/doom metal where heavy riffs and drum beats alternate with atmospheric passages. Kristien Cools bewitched chants and Pieter Chromiak‘s harsh screams create a unique vocal contrast.
Post Mortem was received very well by European press, which resulted in several praising reviews. This resulted in an impressive series of shows, supporting acts such as Wiegedood, Wolvennest, Haunted, Soul Grip, The Fifth Alliance, Famyne, Alunah, Mist, Marche Funèbre, Atomic Vulture, Ashtoreth, Grotto, Killer, Lugubrum, Paragon Impure, Kosmokrator…
As we start 2021, Splendidula will release their third album Somnus Friday, 29th January through Argonauta Records. Featuring six tracks, it was mixed by Much Luv Studio and mastered by grammy award-winning engineer Alan Douches at West West Side Music.
Somnus Tracklisting:
01 Somnia
02 Void
03 Incubus
04 Oculus
05 Drocht
06 When God Comes Down
Splendidula are:
Kristien Cools – Vocals
Pieter Houben – Guitar & Vocals
David Vandegoor – Guitar
Peter Chromiak – Bass
Joachim Taminau – Drums & Samples
Somnus, the third album from Belgium’s Splendidula, releases tomorrow, 29th January via Argonauta Records and can be purchased on vinyl and CD from their webstore.
Label: Argonauta Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
