Arcane Dirge proudly presents a landmark new studio album from one of dark ambient's most revered pioneers - Empusae. With "The Alchemist's Rift," Empusae mastermind Nicolas Van Meirhaeghe delivers what many will recognize as a perfect fusion of his contemporary explorations and the foundational sounds that established his legendary status in the dark ambient scene.
While this marks Empusae's 17th studio album since his 2002 debut, it stands apart through its reconnection with the sonic territories that first captivated audiences. Devotees of Empusae's seminal Hands Productions releases like "404 Error - Metaphorical Loss" and "The Hatred of Trees" will recognize the return of those signature atmospheric tensions and textural depths, now enhanced through two decades of sonic evolution and mastery.
Following a period of notable collaborations with artists such as Peter Bjärgö, Shinkiro, and Onasander, "The Alchemist's Rift" marks a triumphant return to Empusae’s singular vision - one that simultaneously honors his classic sound while pushing into unexplored territories.
The process of creating this album was uniquely immersive, as Nicolas explains:
"The Alchemist's Rift was born from a deep artistic connection. The music was directly inspired by an existing artwork by Christel Morvan, an evocative piece that resonated with me on a profound level. Moved by its essence, I set out to create a sonic tribute, not just to the artwork itself, but also to Christel as a person and an artist.
As I composed, the music took on a narrative of its own, becoming intensely emotional, immersive, and even unsettling. At times, I was overwhelmed by a strange, almost tangible sense of distress, an eerie presence from beyond, pressing in as if trying to take shape through sound. To capture this atmosphere, I used a combination of analog and virtual instruments, field recordings, electro-acoustics, and EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena), blending organic and otherworldly textures to create an unsettling yet mesmerizing sonic landscape.
Once the composition was complete, I offered it to Christel with full artistic freedom to interpret and transform as she saw fit. From this collaboration, a story emerged, one that she brought to life through illustration, culminating in a hauntingly beautiful short graphic novel."
The resulting album is a perfect nexus of Empusae's legacy and future - a must-have for longtime followers and an ideal entry point for those yet to experience his transformative soundscapes.
Released May 2025 on Arcane Dirge.
Track Listing:
- Invocation (The Fractured Self) 05:17
- Circuits and Sigils 07:16
- Through the Rift 10:03
- The Echo of Shadows 09:30
- A Soul Reclaimed, a Darkness Born 06:15
- Eternal Rift (The Unending Void) 07:50
English