Disdarken, the brainchild of brothers Alan V. Niculae and Tiberius F. Niculae, along with Nick Carmine, is a sonic force emerging from Tilburg, Netherlands. Their journey began in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, when they found each other through Fiverr and started crafting instrumental synth-wave music for YouTube creators. With a sound that fuses Metal, Electronic, Darkwave, and Industrial influences, the trio has carved out a unique space in the underground music scene. Their compositions often embody a cinematic quality, blending eerie atmospheres with hard-hitting instrumentation, and their latest single, "A Part From Darkness," is no exception.
Released on February 8, 2025, "A Part From Darkness" is a deeply personal and haunting piece of music. Alan composed the main guitar riffs and penned the lyrics after experiencing a disorienting drug-induced episode in 2022. The song captures the rawness of that moment, channelling unease and introspection into its sonic landscape. Tiberius' drum programming lends a mechanical precision to the track, while Nick's bass and synth arrangements weave a hypnotic groove, intensifying the sense of spiralling into an altered state of consciousness. The cryptic nature of the lyrics adds another layer of intrigue, reinforcing the track’s themes of detachment and self-awareness.
"A Part From Darkness" invites the listener into a fractured reality where perception is distorted. Alan describes it as a meditation on feeling like a non-playable character (NPC) in someone else’s game, a realization that prompts an existential retreat. The imagery of weed carrying an unfamiliar scent in the absence of a loved one underscores a sense of loss and detachment. These elements come together in an almost nightmarish haze, making the song both unsettling and thought-provoking. This blend of narrative depth and sonic experimentation is what makes Disdarken's music resonate with listeners looking for surface-level entertainment.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this release is its production approach. Despite being recorded with minimal physical equipment—an electric bass, electric guitar, and a basic studio mic—the band leveraged modern AI-driven mixing and mastering tools to sculpt a punchy yet retro sound. The combination of organic instrumentation and software-driven elements results in a hybrid aesthetic that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that every layer of the song contributes to its overall impact, making "A Part From Darkness" an audacious and immersive listening experience.
In a music landscape often dominated by polished, predictable releases, Disdarken stands out with its raw authenticity and boundary-pushing creativity. "A Part From Darkness" explores perception, identity, and the eerie spaces between reality and illusion. With their innovative approach to songwriting and production, Disdarken continues to prove that the underground scene is alive with bold new ideas. As they push their sound further into the abyss of electronic-metal fusion, listeners can expect more gripping sonic journeys from this enigmatic trio.
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