Belgian atmospheric black/doom band Splendidula unveils lyric video for 'Donkerte' • GRIMM Gent

Belgian atmospheric black doom band Splendidula unveils the lyric video for Donkerte from their album Absentia, which was released in April 2026 by Argonauta Records. A song about an empty existence, fading hope, and the longing for eternal rest.

Splendidula‘s fourth album opens a new chapter in the band’s history. Written in the aftermath of the loss of several loved ones, including bassist Peter Chromiak in 2022, the album is shaped by themes of grief, depression, and loss. Splendidula blends black metal and doom with fragile atmospheric passages, drenched in grief and sorrow.

The band comments:

“The title Donkerte means “darkness” in Dutch. The song grew from riffs originally written by our former bassist Peter Chromiak, who passed away in 2022. Peter named the song ‘Donkerte’, and we chose to keep the name while completing it in honour of his memory. Through Donkerte, a part of Peter continues to live on in our music. Lyrically, the song delves into an endless darkness, an overwhelming sense of isolation and hopelessness, where death begins to feel like the only escape. It captures the feeling of being consumed by darkness, with no light or way out in sight.”

Listen to the full album ‘Absentia’ on all streaming services
Also available on vinyl and CD at Argonauta Records or Bandcamp

Splendidula is an atmospheric black doom band from Belgium, active since 2008. The band has released four full-length albums: Splendidula (2013), Post Mortem (2016), Somnus (2021) and Absentia (2026), shaping a sound of 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, followed by Absentia, released by Argonauta Records in April 2026.

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