German occult rock/metallers Melancholost will release their debut full-length, Tales From The Poisoned Apple, on 15 May.
Melancholost is the new creative vessel of musician and producer Sven The Axe, best known as the long-standing frontman of the heavy metal band Solemnity. With this project, Sven opens a darker, more atmospheric outlet for his musical and lyrical ideas.
Emerging from the depths of the German underground rock and metal scene, Melancholost weaves together elements of occult rock, gothic ambience, and melancholic dark rock, forging a sound distinctly separate from Sven's earlier output. While Solemnity built its identity on classic heavy‑metal themes of battle and dark fantasy, Melancholost turns inward—towards ritual symbolism, mysticism, existential gloom, and the shadowed aesthetics of occult tradition.
Musically, Melancholost is defined by haunting melodies, slow‑burning guitar lines, and a brooding vocal delivery that balances theatrical intensity with introspective melancholy. The project draws inspiration from the darker corners of rock and metal history, blending vintage occult‑rock sensibilities with modern atmospheric production.
As a creative vehicle, Melancholost allows Sven to step far beyond performance—taking charge of songwriting, conceptual direction, and the project's overall artistic vision. It reflects his deep roots in the German underground while marking a new phase focused on mood, symbolism, and emotional depth.
Though still operating in the shadows, Melancholost represents a significant evolution in Sven's artistic identity: a convergence of dark rock, esoteric imagery, and enveloping melancholy. The album was recorded as a trio, with two close friends contributing drums and additional keyboards—both choosing to remain anonymous—while Sven performed all remaining instruments and vocals.
A series of hand‑selected, "haunted" live performances is planned, should demand arise. A groundbreaking stage‑experience concept is already in development—so keep your eyes open. Link
Tales From The Poisoned Apple tracklist:
I: Alkahest I - The Primal Fire
II: If This World Would Be Eden
III: Liber 777
IV: Another Brick On The he Head
V: Wolves By Midnight
VI: Abramelin
VII: The Book Of Thoth
VIII: The Swan
IX: These Bleeding Kisses
X: Red Wine & Black Roses
XI: The Raven
XII: Golden Dawn
XIII: Graveyard Of Broken Dreams
XIV: Alkahest II - The Hope
XV: Frozen In Time
New York City's avant-garde extreme metal visionaries Imperial Triumphant have officially signed with Metal Blade Records, marking a new chapter in the band's ever-evolving and boundary...
After an extensive Latin American tour supporting their label-mates Hocico, dark new wave/EBM duo ghostbells have returned with their evocative new single, "Phantoms", out now via...
Chris Harms — known for his musical versatility and as frontman of German number‑one‑charting act Lord Of The Lost — continues his solo journey with the release of Aporia, scheduled for...
Amsterdam-based artist Subject Sue continues to blur the boundaries between darkwave, ethereal techno, and nocturnal electronic music with the release of "Way Too Much", the final single...
"You know, the music and songs just come, and we don't distance ourselves from the music that comes out." - Jyrki 69
"This time we're trying not to complicate things too much. We want to have a simple message, but that doesn't mean there will be fewer arrangements or less songwriting..." - Pedro Paixão
"I find it really bizarre, because right after the concert, you're already on the internet. I mean, come on. It's very different from how it used to be, but it's fine." - Anja Huwe
"With Hypocrisy, I'm very "home", but with Pain, it's an adventure, just like going into the jungle only with a knife and no glass of water and trying to survive." - Peter Tägtgren
