Belgian atmospheric black doom metal act Splendidula releases new single feat. former My Dying Bride vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe!
Temse, Belgium based atmospheric black/doom metal band Splendidula premieres new single and lyric video »Echoes Of Quiet Remain« featuring guest vocals by Aaron Stainthorpe (ex-My Dying Bride, High Parasite). This is the first single taken from Splendidula’s fourth studio album, »Absentia«, due out in 2026 via Argonauta Records.
Listen to »Echoes Of Quiet Remain« on all major streaming platforms!
Courtesy of Grand Sounds PR:
Belgian atmospheric black doom band Splendidula unveils »Echoes Of Quiet Remain«, a deeply emotional track featuring guest vocals by Aaron Stainthorpe, known for his iconic work with My Dying Bride. As the first single from their upcoming album »Absentia«, set for release in 2026 via Argonauta Records, the song immediately highlights the record’s intense emotional core and the band’s renewed artistic direction.
Written in the aftermath of several personal tragedies, »Absentia« opens a new and vulnerable chapter for Splendidula. The album was created during a period marked by the passing of loved ones, including bassist Peter Chromiak. Musically, the band blends black metal and doom with fragile atmospheric passages, creating a sound drenched in sorrow, tension and introspection.
Band picture by Tom Hens / Edit by Kristien Cools / Background by Aaron Bonogofsky
»Echoes Of Quiet Remain« is one of the most personal tracks on »Absentia«. The song combines slow burning doom passages, atmospheric layers, emotional vocals and a spoken word contribution by former guitarist Pieter Houben. The result is a deeply introspective piece that reflects the album’s overarching themes of loss and remembrance. The collaboration with Aaron Stainthorpe adds a profound emotional weight to the track. His unmistakable voice amplifies the rawness and fragility at the heart of the song, while the story behind his involvement creates an even deeper resonance with the album’s themes.
The band comments: “»Echoes Of Quiet Remain« holds a special place within »Absentia«, an album dedicated to those we have lost. The song grew from a few unfinished riffs written by our bassist Peter, who passed away in 2022. The lyrics were shaped by the grief of losing our loyal companion Gimli, while the spoken words by our former guitarist Pieter are a heartfelt tribute to Peter. When we met Aaron Stainthorpe, one of the favorite artists of our dear friend Sven who passed in 2021, it felt like fate to invite him as a guest vocalist. This song brings together the stories of our lost ones, and that is why it had to be our first single.”
Aaron reflects on his contribution: “The decision to take part in this song wasn’t simply based on the excellent music, but the story behind it, and the ensuing sadness. When I was informed that the song, and indeed the entire album, was dedicated to the memory of the band’s lovely friend, Sven, I was totally in. Emotional music has been the backbone of my music career and this is exactly what we have within Splendidula. Dark and beautiful, this comes straight from the heart.”
Splendidula is an atmospheric black doom band from Belgium, active since 2008. Over the years, three full-length albums have been released: »Splendidula«, »Post Mortem« and »Somnus«, shaping a sound of crushing riffs, layered vocals and dense melancholy. In 2022, the sudden loss of bassist Peter left a profound impact, leading to a lineup rebuild and a shift toward even more emotionally charged music. The standalone single »Behind My Semblance« (2024) offered a first glimpse into this evolution.
Credits:
Recorded by JDB at Kosmik Womb.
Mixed by Tim De Gieter at Much Luv Studio.
Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music.
Lyric video by Artifacts From The Tangent Universe.
Visuals by Cottonbro Studio, Ron Lach, Yaroslav Shuraev, Kelly, Roman Odintsov, Pressmaster, ArtHouse Studio & Charlie Mounsey.
Splendidula is:
Joachim – Drums, Bass & Synths
Kristien – Vocals
Guy – Guitar & Vocals
FFO: Alcest, My Dying Bride, Amenra, Sylvaine, Austere.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well