On December 17th internationally, Dominance of Darkness Records is proud to present Szivilizs' highly anticipated second album, Totätänzer, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Since their first demo in 2019, Switzerland's Szivilizs have quietly become a paragon of medieval black metal: steeped in the ancients, and proudly out of step with the modern "black metal" underground. Three splits and an EP followed before the decisive release of their debut album, Grabsuchtslieder, in 2022. Now, nearly five years later, mainman Szivilizs emerges from the shadows with Totätänzer.
Transportive to the extreme, Totätänzer is a mystical journey into ages past, thematically dedicated to the Renaissance. Joining Szivilizs here is drummer Dyet; together, this iteration of Szivilizs create a raw and yet somehow-kaleidoscopic landscape of stained-glass synths, hypnotically buzzing strings, howling & emotive screams, and rhythms that are patient and measured but never strictly slow. Indeed, these scabrous but also clearly defined elements merge into a mesmerizing tapestry of sumptuous atmosphere and bittersweet melody, sending the listener straight into the Swiss mountains. Snow-covered Alps, cold sandstone, and the romanticization of a defining historical era are woven into a musical experience - yes, musical, for this is black metal ART in the purest sense. Sonic touchstones include the likes of earliest Abigor, Emperor, and Behemoth to later Lustre, Ungfell, and Darkenhöld, but Totätänzer is undeniably its own unique sphere: aristocratic, immersive, anti-modern.
Death spares no one. It awaits us all, be it a farmer's wife, a young upstart, or an emperor. Dance into death with Szivilizs' Totätänzer.
In the meantime, hear the brand-new track "Fründ Hain"
HERE at Dominance of Darkness' official YouTube channel. Cover artwork, courtesy of Luciana Nedelea, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Szivilizs' Totätänzer
1. Fründ Hain
2. Kaisertod
3. Gaugäfäuder
4. Bärner Jungfer
5. Chlepfsaft
6. Minnesang
7. Das Landschnächtslied
8. Vo Siechä u Cheibä
