Light cannot exist without darkness, but how the two co-exist all depends on the moment. Day fading into night implies a haunted surrender, the brightness of life giving way to shadow. But come dawn, the balance resets as the first rays of sunlight illuminate rosy skies, beckon flowers to unfurl, and rouse the world from the depths of the night. A lush calm lingers in the air, yet an energetic current of promise begins to burn. And so the cycle repeats.
Like the constant circle of dusk and dawn, hybrid genres like blackgaze and post-metal also must choose a side: crushing darkness or melodic light. For Western Norway’s Sundrowned, the answer is unquestionably light. Four years after their debut, the quartet is set to return with Higanbana on September 26th. Today, they reveal their third single, “Ilex” here on Heavy Blog is Heavy.
Higanbana is a conceptual exploration of human existence, exploring the sacred cycles that dictate the rhythms of nature and the fabric of our lives. Each song unfolds like a new chapter, distinctly different from its peers and yet organically folding into the natural arc of the album. “Ilex,” the halfway point of Higanbana, feels like the summer solstice. Dream pop melodies reach their peak, infusing the song with golden contemplation that drapes harsh vocals and piercing riffs. Sundrowned’s signature alchemy of contrasts melts into black metal fury without ever losing sight of the song’s sparkling warmth. The light becomes brighter because of the darkness, enveloping the mind and the ear without crushing.
Sundrowned shared the inspiration behind their new single:
"Ilex explores the topic of physical touch and how the body builds up a memory of the sensations. It is the most playful song we have written to date, carrying a sense of frailty within its energy."
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of “Ilex” is how easily it could fit on a dream pop or shoegaze album, as well as a black metal album. The track is equal parts delicate and unrelenting, simultaneously furious and uplifting. A song best heard while watching the sun burst over the horizon, inviting us all to the promise and peril of a new dawn.
Listen to “Ilex” and pre-order Higanbana on Bandcamp before it’s released on September 26th. Follow Sundrowned on Instagram and Facebook.