Italian solo venture Dark Aries Project has given life to a captivating metal and post-metal adventure influenced by horror, artificial intelligence and sci-fi themes.
Dark Aries Project is the brainchild of Ilinx, formerly a member of bands Nænia and Varganath, who aims to blend horror themes into modern metal and post-metal styles. The solo journey began around 2016, and Ilinx has since developed three EPs that address science and spirituality within an ongoing narrative.
At the centre of this is Mena, the protagonist of The Arrival, a God born from the Project 66 experiments that give rise to a spirituality fuelled by AI. Or, in Ilinx’s words, “In the end, Mena is portrayed as a deity that is both loved and feared, a force that can bring enlightenment and destruction in equal measure. Mena is the deity of data and dominance, a god that holds the keys to our digital future.” It sounds fascinating, and it’s always intriguing to discover music that’s shaped by an ongoing narrative or a consistent story arc.
As Ilinx explains: “It’s something unique, not everyone can immediately grasp it on the first listen. Dark Aries creates a semi-instrumental style for those who enjoy more dystopian and distinctive sounds. There are longer tracks and others that are very short! I’ve always appreciated those who tend to perceive the message through the music itself, not just through words.”
The latest taste of the project is Agon’s Curse, which was released last month. It opens up with heavy guitars and big rolling drums, which drop into a chunky riff before a piercing repeated guitar note feeds into a delicious little solo. The heavy riffs continue, before the pace drops with drawn-out guitars, and a brief pause sees the groovy riff return with another high-pitched solo bringing the short track to a close.
On the track, Ilinx told us: “So far, it seems people are enjoying the blend of horror visuals and music with modern, heavy riffs. People are liking it! You have to appreciate instrumental music – Agon’s Curse is a track with modern, heavy, and dark riffs.” Check it out in the video here:
This is the latest in a series of single releases in 2024, including the more atmospheric “Meat and Candy” Store, which features a really cool ‘dancey’ section before the outro, and the dramatic and heavily rhythmic A New King In Hell. That followed the EP The Walk Of The Archons, which oddly didn’t include the previously released single of the same name and features a great contrast in styles, from the heavy black metal Demiurge to the more laid-back Yaldaboath. In short, there’s plenty to enjoy from the Dark Aries Project and loads of contrasting instrumental music to dig your teeth into, including a personal favourite To End All Suffering. And it all began with MENA: ASCENSION, which introduces us to the AI God Mena, which you can check out in the video here:
The Dark Aries Project is, unsurprisingly, influenced by a wide range of musical styles, from rock and metal to pop. Ilinx tells us: “I really love bands that experiment and don’t always focus on ultra-technicality, but rather on raw intensity and emotions. Distant Dream, Poppy, Code Orange, Widek, Emil Bulls, Slipknot, Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth, and Magdalena Bay are the bands and artists I listen to the most.“
There’s no sign of the Dark Aries Project slowing down any time soon, with Ilinx and his team working on new tracks for his next album, which he tells us is “still shrouded in mystery. There will also be live performances and new music videos, which will be underground and niche.
And Ilinx adds: “Know that I will appreciate every listener, and you will be considered like brothers to me! Each listen from you will be a step toward the success of this project. For Ilinx, For D.A.P.!”
You can follow Dark Aries Project on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
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