Belgian atmospheric black/doom metal band Splendidula premiere new single and music video »Absentia« feat. Tim Yatras (Austere, Germ)!
Belgian atmospheric black/doom metal band Splendidula premiere new single and music video »Absentia« featuring Tim Yatras (Austere, Germ) on guest vocals. This is the third single and title track from Splendidula’s upcoming album, set to release on April 3rd, 2026 via Argonauta Records.
Tracklist:
01. Absentia (feat. Tim Yatras)
02. Echoes Of Quiet Remain (feat. Aaron Stainthorpe)
03. Donkerte
04. Dalkuldar
05. Kilte
06. Let It Come To An End
Courtesy of Grand Sounds PR:
Belgian atmospheric black doom band Splendidula unveils »Absentia«, third single and title track from the upcoming fourth full length album, set for release on April 3, 2026 via Argonauta Records. The song features guest vocals by Tim Yatras, known for his work with Austere and Germ. His presence adds an additional layer of vulnerability and gravity to a composition that stands at the emotional core of the record.
Pre-orders for »Absentia« are now live at Argonauta Records and Bandcamp.
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.
While the album is dedicated to the memory of the band’s late bassist Peter Chromiak, it is equally devoted to the memory of Sven, a close friend whose passing left a deep mark on the band. »Absentia« is not only a reflection on grief, but also a quiet tribute to those who remain present through memory, music, and shared experiences.
Listen to the single »Absentia« on all streaming services!
Tim Yatras reflects on his contribution: “I’ve known Splendidula for a while now. We shared the stage together with Austere, and Kristien sang live with Germ at a couple of festivals. Of course I was honoured, and said yes, when asked to add my voice to a song on their new album. Learning the story of their late friend Sven, to whom the album is dedicated, made the experience all the more poignant.”
Vocalist Kristien comments: “There was already a strong connection with Tim long before this collaboration. We truly admire his work with Germ and Austere, and there has always been a deep respect for the emotional honesty in his music. Germ appeared more than once in Sven’s farewell playlist, and it was a band he deeply connected with. When Tim invited me to perform live guest vocals for Germ, I was truly honoured, and it felt surprisingly meant to be. This eventually led to the idea of involving him in »Absentia«, giving the song, and the album as a whole, an even deeper meaning.”
Under the banner »Absentia in the Church«, Splendidula will unveil their new album »Absentia« on Saturday, April 18, at GC Het Marca in Maarkedal, Belgium. The former Saint Eligius Church, well known for hosting the Church of Doom events, offers an unmistakably fitting setting for the band’s emotionally charged music and dark melancholy.
Thy Light is invited as special guest to headline the event. The Brazilian masters of depressive black metal are internationally acclaimed for their raw emotional intensity and atmospheric depth. They will be accompanied by Danish atmospheric black metal band Sunken, ambient/drone project Ashtoreth, and doom/death metal band My Lament.
Due to the unique nature of the venue, capacity is strictly limited to 250 attendees. Early ticket purchase is strongly recommended. Buy tickets HERE.
Band photo by Tom Hens / Edit by Aaron Bonogofsky
Band bio:
Splendidula is an atmospheric black doom metal band from Belgium, active since 2008. Over the years, three full-length albums have been released: »Splendidula«, »Post Mortem« and »Somnus«, shaping a sound defined by crushing riffs, layered vocals and dense melancholy. In 2022, the sudden loss of bassist Peter Chromiak 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. »Absentia«, the upcoming fourth album, opens a new chapter. Themes of grief, depression, and loss are explored, and guest contributions by Aaron Stainthorpe (My Dying Bride, High Parasite) and Tim Yatras (Austere, Germ) lend the album even deeper emotional weight.
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