Video Premiere: Splendidula ‘Oculus’ – Taken From ‘Somnus’ That’s Out Now Via Argonauta Records

Back in January it was an honour for The Shaman to bring you a premiere of the epic doom and sludge album Somnus by Belgium miscreants Splendidula. This was swiftly followed by a praising review by Lee Beamish who said the band ‘take us on a journey into darkness and despair, and everything in between’, that perfectly sums up the quintet’s mournful dirges.

Splendidula

As we hit the halfway point of the year, and with gigging and touring still not back into full swing to support the albums release, Splendidula, under the watchful eye of Artifacts From The Tangent Universe, have produce a harrowing video for the track Oculus, which the band comments on…

‘We were really overwhelmed by all the positive feedback after the release of Somnus. Argonauta Records and All Noir both did a great job promoting our album, reaching an audience all over the world. The current situation didn’t allow us yet to play our album live, but we didn’t want to just sit still and do nothing.’

They continue… ‘This video is dedicated to everyone who supported us so far and shows some atmospheric footage of our meditative journeys and spiritual processes during the last months. The perfect visual representation of the slowest and most psychedelic song on the album.’

Now you’ve read the background, its time press play and be swept along with the ominous four and a half minutes of the track Oculus

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).

Splendidula 'Somnus'

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…

Splendidula 'Somnus' vinyl

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, is out now through Argonauta Records and can be purchased on Vinyl and CD directly from the labels webstore.

Label: Argonauta Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram