Alessandro Sforza’s Ars Onirica presents first single/video »Nighttime Part III« from »2.5 Nighttime« EP; out October 24th via Ardua Music!
Rome, Italy based melodic doom/death metal solo project Ars Onirica by Alessandro Sforza (Invernoir) presents the first single and music video »Nighttime Part III« taken from the upcoming EP, »2.5 Nighttime«, set to release on October 24th, 2025 via Ardua Music.
Tracklist:
01. Dusk (An Ode To The Stars)
02. Nighttime Part I
03. Nighttime Part II
04. Nighttime Part III
05. Dawn
Courtesy of Imperative PR:
Briefly existing as a full band in the early 2000s, producing one demo, »Utopia: A Winternight’s Traveller« in 2004, Ars Onirica was reborn as the solo project of Alessandro Sforza in 2018. Two superbly crafted albums of melodic doom/death – »I: Cold and II: Lost« – have established Ars Onirica as a name synonymous with imaginative, enthralling music and now the next chapter in this story of enchantment and revelation is about to begin. Despite, as its title suggests, being an interlude between albums, »2.5 Nighttime« is a sublime work, rich in wonders and overflowing with magic, that is destined to become a treasured part of Ars Onirica’s unfolding discography.
Pre-order:
arduamusic.com
arduamusic.bandcamp.com
arsonirica.bandcamp.com
Alessandro Sforza would say: “While I was writing new songs I realized that some of them were deeply connected so I decided to put them all together as a little concept EP. »2.5 Nighttime« EP is a journey through the night divided into five phases, beginning with the song »Dusk (An Ode To The Stars)« and ending with »Dawn«. The night is seen as a “safe zone” a place where you can detach from your own reality and find some peace and rest for your soul. In my case I see the night like a inspiring muse that helps me transforming reality into something beautiful and bright so be welcome and enjoy this musical journey where hope and desperation coexist like two sides of the same coin.”
Photo credit: Floriana Ausili
Opening track, »Dusk (An Ode To The Stars)« entwines gently emotive vocals and guitars like whispered incantations to transport the listener to the deeply dreaming world of Ars Onirica, opening the gateway to the remarkable three part title track which forms the heart of this EP. »Nighttime Part I« blossoms around you, all enveloping and lifts you, weightless, to the stars before the momentous weight and power of »Nighttime Part II (Your Silence Around Me)« is unveiled. With vast chords and cascading notes leading into fiercely emotive harsh vocals alongside quiet, yet equally compelling clean vocals, the dream walks the boundaries between light and dark.
»…Part III« brings a sense of urgency and an almost blackened aura, but always juxtaposed with the warmth and beauty that run through this EP like unifying threads of gold. The contrasts and dynamics are stunning, yet smoothly blended, the shifts of scene as perfect as the changing scenarios of a dream. And finally, »Dawn« provides a sweetly languorous awakening, the experiences of the hours of darkness drifting apart like gossamer threads as the sun rises, delivering a perfectly formed sense of conclusion and completeness. »2.5 Nighttime« is a remarkable, immersive creation to be savoured and experienced again and again.
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Blue Ocean Recording Studio by Alessandro Sforza in partnership with Lorenzo Carlini of Black Therapy and Invernoir, who also worked on I:Cold and II: Lost, every nuance of »2.5 Nighttime«’s layered and textured compositions can be fully appreciated. And with Disturbing Grace Design supplying one of those rare pieces of cover art that perfectly captures the spirit and soul of the music within, every contributing element has combined to make this release something truly special. Ardua Music will unveil »2.5 Nighttime« on October 24th and the dream will begin once more.
Line-up:
Alessandro Sforza – All music and vocals
FFO: Anathema | The Gathering | Tiamat | Ghostheart Nebula
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well