Unveiling the Soundscapes: A Progress Report on My Upcoming Album

It’s time for a quick update on where I stand with the creation of my new album. As of now, about 80% of the guitar and bass tracks have been recorded, and the orchestral arrangements and additional instrumentation are nearly complete. Currently, I’m deep into programming the drum parts while also recording vocals with the help of some talented friends. Expect a mix of guttural male growls, ethereal female vocals, and even some choir sections where you might hear my own voice in the mix.

As for the guitar solos? Most of them are still in the idea phase, waiting to be fully realized. But one thing’s for sure – the album will feature a booklet with conceptual photography, courtesy of a friend who’s capturing the visual essence of the project.

What can you expect from this release? First and foremost, the sound will be deeper, more thunderous, and more immersive than anything I’ve done before. The vocals will range from aggressive growls to soaring clean female singing, layered with deep, polyphonic choruses. Lyrically, the album explores the fear, confusion, alienation, and even rage of an individual standing before the vast unknown of a transcendent reality. The lyrics will be primarily in English, with some sections in Latin to enhance the atmosphere.

Musically, the album draws heavily from thrash and progressive metal, infused with elements of classical and modern symphonic composition. You’ll also find influences from Middle Eastern and Balkan folk music woven into the sonic tapestry.

This is shaping up to be my most ambitious and emotionally intense work yet. Stay tuned – there’s much more to come! The album is expected to be released in the summer of 2025.

Transforming Nevermore: A Unique Rendition of ‘The Sorrowed Man’

Nevermore’s music has always had a profound impact on me, with a special emphasis on The Sorrowed Man, one of the most remarkable tracks from their In Memory EP from 1996. While this lyrical piece, with its depth and atmosphere, might not entirely stand out from the band’s classic themes – given that Nevermore’s timeless legacy includes numerous heavy and atmospheric tracks – The Sorrowed Man offers a unique contrast to the 90% of their repertoire that is rooted in progressive and power metal intensity. As one of my favorite bands, I’ve long wanted to pay homage to their work with my own interpretation.

Finally, the moment has arrived. Together with the amazing French vocalist, Ana Lyr, we’ve created our own rendition of the song. Throughout the arrangement process, we aimed to preserve the original vibe while allowing Ana’s emotive vocals to add a uniquely intriguing layer to the track.

The video is now available on both of our YouTube channels. If you love Nevermore, or you’re just in the mood for some special atmospheric music, check it out and let us know what you think!

Ana Lyr on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@analyr_art

Darkwave on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@darkwavemetal

Behind the Mic: My Experience on the Emptyspiral.net Podcast

The Emptyspiral.net podcast, hosted by the fan site dedicated to Lacuna Coil, is a unique platform for fans of the band, featuring news, discussions, and special interviews. Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to appear as a guest on the show’s 167th episode, where I shared what it means to me to be a fan of such an amazing band.

During the discussion, I talked about how I first discovered Lacuna Coil’s music and the profound impact their art has had on me. Their musical world has not only been a source of inspiration but has also fostered a sense of belonging to a community, something that Emptyspiral.net continues to strengthen.

I’m deeply grateful that I also had the chance to talk about my own musical journey. I introduced my solo project, Darkwave, which creates instrumental progressive thrash metal. We explored the history of Darkwave, from its beginnings to my most recent album, Thanatology, which was released in 2024 in a special remastered CD format. Towards the end of the conversation, I also gave a brief teaser about my upcoming material, which will feature vocals for the first time.

In the final part of the podcast, all four of us shared our thoughts on the title track of the 2022 Lacuna Coil release entitled Comalies XX, which led to some fascinating insights.

This interview was a truly special experience for me, offering the chance to express what Lacuna Coil’s music means to me. Having the opportunity to discuss Darkwave at the same time was a tremendous honor, and I’m incredibly thankful to Matt, David, and Mike, the podcast hosts, for making it possible.

The Art of Slow Destruction and Rebirth

I’m not afraid to admit it: progress on the new album has been steady but deliberate. This time, I’m venturing into uncharted territory. For the first time ever, vocals will play a key role, and the sound…? It’s thicker, heavier, and more brutal than anything I’ve done before, thanks to the punishing growl of standard C tuning.

But it’s not just about the sound – this album is a journey. I’m weaving a deeper cohesion into every track, using recurring musical motifs and lyrical themes to tie the whole thing together. Stylistically, it’s my signature blend of experimental thrash and death metal infused with progressive and symphonic elements. Lyrically, I’m diving into themes of existential uncertaintydisillusionment, and the flickering light of hope – all through the lens of our search for meaning beyond the veil of the physical world.

This project means too much to me to rush. There’s no deadline, just the relentless pull of creativity driving me forward in every spare moment. I promise, I’m giving it everything I’ve got – and when it’s finally ready, I hope it resonates with you.

Thank you for sticking with me and supporting this journey. Your faith in me fuels every note I write. Stay tuned – it’ll be worth the wait!

Bridging Through Music: A New Year’s Reflection and a Look Ahead

As we stand on the threshold of a brand-new year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support. 2024 was a whirlwind of activity for me – a year where I poured countless hours into elevating Darkwave to unprecedented heights. This journey wasn’t just about acquiring new gear and plugins; it meant completely remixing, remastering, and even re-recording my entire discography. It also involved collaborating with incredible artists and creating brand-new original music.

While I’ve already shared a detailed recap of 2024 in a previous post, there’s one thing I want to spotlight above all else: the human connections that make music truly meaningful.

As I often say, music is one of the most intimate forms of communication. It doesn’t just transmit emotions and ideas; it has the profound power to bring people together. This past year, I’ve been blessed to meet extraordinary individuals from all over the globe and collaborate with some phenomenally talented musicians. These connections – both within and beyond the music community – are what truly matter.

Yes, we can write groundbreaking songs, record jaw-dropping albums, and even revolutionize the music scene. But none of these accomplishments hold true significance without the bonds we forge along the way. For me, music is the ultimate bridge – a way to reach out, connect, and bring people closer.

To my friends and fellow musicians: thank you for being part of this journey and for believing in what I do. Your support fuels everything I create. As 2025 unfolds, I can’t wait to embark on new collaborations and share an entirely new Darkwave album with you.

Here’s to another year of connection, creativity, and pushing boundaries. Wishing you all a Happy New Year, my friends!

Rewriting the Past, Composing the Future: My 2024 Recap

Here we are again – just weeks away from bidding farewell to 2024! And, as usual, I can’t resist the urge to subject you all to my long annual summary. Brace yourselves! 🙂

This year felt different from the last few. Unlike 2021, 2022, and 2023, I didn’t release a new album in 2024 – but I promise, I had a good reason! Instead, I poured my heart and countless hours into refining my past work. I didn’t just remix and remaster all my previous albums – I also re-recorded significant parts, especially basslines. It was a monumental effort, taking months to complete. But the result? A completely revitalized discography. The updated tracks are now live on Spotify, Bandcamp, and Soundcloud, offering a far superior listening experience.

And that’s not all! I also ventured into the physical realm with the release of Thanatology on CD. Some of you may already have that long-awaited tangible piece in your hands! This project wasn’t just about improving sound quality – it was about laying a rock-solid foundation for the future. Like turning the last page of a chapter in a book, it felt essential to close this one properly before moving forward.

2024 was also the year of collaborations for me, and what a ride it’s been! I had the honor of contributing as a guest musician on two Terrorbit releases (first, second), a stellar dubstep/EDM track by Da J, one of the debut songs from the phenomenal Duo Latera metal project, and the latest album from Combstead. Even as I write this, more exciting collaborations are in progress. I can’t share too many details just yet, but trust me – what’s coming is worth the wait!

As for my own music, the past few months have been dedicated to writing and recording new material. While I’m not ready to reveal much, I can tell you that some massive ideas have already taken shape. I’m working hard to turn them into a cohesive string of songs. For me, an album isn’t just a collection of tracks – it’s a unified story, an entity with its own soul. That’s why I’ve resisted the urge to release singles piecemeal. I’d rather present you with something whole, something meaningful. So, thank you for your patience – I promise it will be worth the wait!

Here’s to the journey so far and to the exciting chapters still ahead. See you all in 2025!

Duo Latera: Eraser (feat. Darkwave) – Thrash Metal Riffs and Melodic Solos

I added my guitars and bass to one of the songs of a great EP initiated by my friend, Fredrik of the excellent blackened death metal band Against I. The project entitled Duo Latera is basically a collaborative effort of five metal musicians (Fredrik, plus Chronicler of Ardul, MIND:FIELD, Embers Ignite and myself). The debut EP (Destructor) consists of four tracks, of which I play the guitars and bass on the third one. The music you can hear on the EP combines the stylistic elements of various metal subgenres (progressive, death, thrash, etc.), creating an exciting mixture that stretch out the borders of these already well-defined subgenres. The third song (the one I take part in) entitled Eraser is a combination of thrash-based riffs, melodic solos that fill up the entire duration of the track and powerful death metal growls. Check it out please – and don’t forget to listen to each tracks, featuring different musicians with different approaches and visions!

Click here to listen to the entire EP: https://tfreco.bandcamp.com/album/destructor

From Digital to Tangible: Thanatology in CD Format

The moment I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived: my third album, Thanatology, has been released in physical format! I must admit that it’s been a long and windy road. The album has been released as an independent production with only 100 copies available, with a lot of hard work and effort – but exactly because of that, it fills me with exceptional joy that I can finally hold my latest release in my hands as a CD.

The first physical release of an album is always a significant milestone in any musician’s life and career. In a world where digital platforms dominate, holding our own music in a tangible format like a CD or vinyl means more than just a product. It’s a symbol of the passion, work and enthusiasm that went into the songs. Personally, it gives me a sense of accomplishment and permanence. Something physical always feels more ‘real’ and lasting than a few sound files uploaded onto a nameless server at an unknown place. From now on, Thanatology exists in the world beyond just the digital realm!

If you would like to have a copy, just send me an email at zsolt.nemethy@gmail.com or leave me a comment below!

Guest Guitar Solo on Terrorbit’s “20XX AD” EP: Synthwave Fun

I had the chance to add a guitar solo to one of the tracks of the new Terrorbit EP entitled 20XX AD. As you know, Terrorbit is a darksynth/synthwave/cyberpunk band from Sweden, and I already had the honor to be a guest musician on one of their earlier releases (in two songs on From Beyond the Rave – for further details, see my earlier post here). Although their current release is slightly different from their earlier EPs (as it includes hints of synthpop and several vocal parts), the album fits well into Terrorbit’s rapidly growing discography. You can hear my guest guitar solo on the fourth track entitled Dreams in Binary (around 2:14 – to open it in Spotify, click here. You can also listen to the song on Bandcamp by clicking here). It was such a great fun to add my personal shades and emotional colors to this amazing synthwave song – a genre that’s otherwise not something that I’m really familiar with. To look into an almost unknown musical world and get involved in a creative process that’s so different from my own is certainly an effective way to widen a person’s inner horizon. While writing and recording the guitar solo, I definitely intended to stay inside the musical world and tonal characteristics of the 80’s with the aim of implementing my own personal style within the framework of the song. What do you think of the overall result – do you think I grabbed the essence of the track and added something personal to it?

The links to the full album are here (Spotify) and here (Bandcamp). Give the EP a listen, if you want to hear quality synthwave stuff!

Darkwave Reloaded: All Albums Remixed & Remastered on Bandcamp!

Hello friends!

Big news: all three of my albums have been completely remixed, remastered, and even partly re-recorded to sound more powerful and alive than ever before! I’ve replaced the original files on Bandcamp, so if you’ve downloaded my albums before, make sure to grab the latest versions – you’ll definitely hear the difference!

This is the best sound I’ve ever achieved, and I truly hope you’ll enjoy it! Thank you so much for your support, and happy listening!

Zsolt