KEKHT ARAKH - Pale Swordsman LP

Originally released on the Finnish label Livor Mortis in 2021, Pale Swordsman goes to even greater extents in building a bold and atmospheric sonic palette, and it’s now seeing a worldwide reissue via Brooklyn label Sacred Bones. On this album we follow the character’s journey through haunting despair, longing and resignation. The imagery is decisively romantic, almost vampiric with recurring themes of spectral symbolism, darkness, night creatures, blood hunger, the close connection of death and life. “the fresh air of inspiration was blown into my mind in the shape of Bladee’s verses” says Dmitry when discussing the writing of the lyrics. Pale Swordsman delivers a foreboding yet bittersweet melancholy through poetic lyrics, soft interludes, raw and distorted guitars, eerie drums and harsh vocals - a fragile yet potent mix that successfully amplifies the ambience.