The enigmatic artist Darkplace returns with Näcken, the first single from their forthcoming sophomore album About Nordic Folklore. Known for their shadowy presence and multimedia storytelling, Darkplace now turns their gaze from dystopian futures to the mythic and malevolent spirits of the ancient North.
A stark evolution from their acclaimed debut About the End of the World, Näcken plunges into the darkwave undercurrents of Scandinavian myth, interweaving elements of black metal, post-punk, and experimental soundscapes. Anchored by a brooding narrative and eerie visual artistry, the single marks a bold and unsettling new chapter.
“Go not near the water when dusk descends, for there the Näcken plays his sorrowful song. If you hear the fiddle’s call, turn and flee, for his tune drowns more than just sound.”
So warns the band in a chilling quote that evokes the spectral lore behind the track. In Nordic mythology, the Näcken is a water spirit who lures listeners to their doom with a hypnotic violin—an image Darkplace brings to life through an arresting blend of analogue texture and digital decay, both musically and visually.
While their debut album explored an imagined post-apocalyptic world through oil-painted animations and layered visual storytelling, About Nordic Folklore continues Darkplace’s artistic vision—this time digging into the psyche of ancient terror and Nordic myths. The music remains deeply cinematic, but leans further into atmospheric tension and blackened ambiance. Fans of acts like Ulver, Swans, and early The Cure will find themselves in familiar yet disorienting territory.
Much like the first album, the visual art behind Näcken is the result of a painstakingly detailed process involving photography, sculpture, oil painting, and frame-by-frame digital animation. Every scene is carefully constructed to reflect the layered emotional and mythical dimensions of the music.
As always, the identities behind Darkplace remain hidden. What is known is that they treat their work as a holistic art project—where sound, image, and folklore coalesce into a singular experience.
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| WATCH: Darkplace - Näcken (Official Visualizer): https://youtu.be/BaUna9kyliE |