German black metal outfit Naxen is currently preparing for the release of its sophomore full-length album, Descending Into A Deeper Darkness. Scheduled to drop on 3 May through Vendetta Records, the band has unveiled its first single, "To Writhe In The Womb Of Night". Accompanied by a lyric video, the track sets the tone for what promises to be a haunting and immersive musical journey.

The band's vocalist and guitarist LN on "To Writhe In The Womb Of Night": "It takes elements of the opening song on this album and develops them further. The song is a walk on the tightrope of violent anger and existential despair which represents the sound and aesthetics of Naxen to restructure the common approach to depressive black metal. On a more personal note, this song sees me reminiscing on the effects of dealing with burn-out and long-lasting depression. This means overtly repeating the same unfriendly thought processes and growing more desperate in personal suffering coming to the same conclusion over and over again, while grasping for the tranquility only to be found in the silence of the night. Rejoice, in the absence of light and hope!"

Since its inception in 2018, Naxen has become one of the most promising and prolific bands in the contemporary underground black metal scene. Following the acclaimed previous releases, Towards The Tomb Of Times (2020) and The Perilous Path Of Pain (2021, EP), on Descending Into A Deeper Darkness, Naxen further develops its violent and unrelenting approach to depressive black metal.

The band's upcoming record is not a concept album in common sense, rather, LN (songwriter, guitarist, and lyricist) has developed and conceptualised separate ideas for each of the four songs. Every song takes up elements of each other, thus presenting an intricate and interwoven work of concepts. These embody the beliefs that all hope is lost, dread encapsulates existence, life is the trauma of birth and, finally, the irrefutable futility of all flesh. The album dives headfirst into these concepts imbued with triumphant darkness and the inescapability of sadness and pain.

In sonic terms, Naxen is a blend of traditional black metal with contemporary influences that result in its interpretation of depressive black metal. The songs are auditory renditions of pain, existential dread and despair through atmospheric structures, melancholic melodies, elaborated drums and bleak lyricism.

With this upcoming release, Naxen solidifies its position as one of the most exciting and innovative acts in the underground black metal scene, promising a captivating and immersive journey into the depths of darkness.

The album has been produced and mixed by Fabian Schulz at Sunsetter Studio and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. Link

Descending Into A Deeper Darkness tracklist:
1. Our Souls Shall Fall Forever
2. To Writhe In The Womb Of Night
3. A Shadow In The Fire - Pt. III (A Life Led By Loss) 
4. Triumphant Tongue Of A Thousand Swords