VI.BE

Splendidula is an atmospheric black/doom metal band from Belgium, active since 2008.

Over the years, three full-length albums have been released: Splendidula, Post Mortem (Inverse Records), and Somnus (2021, Argonauta Records), shaping a sound of crushing riffs, layered vocals, and dense melancholy.

In 2022, the sudden loss of bassist Peter left a profound impact, leading to the departure of both guitarists. As the lineup was rebuilt, grief and emotional struggles were channeled into new music. The standalone single Behind My Semblance (2024) offered a first glimpse of this emotionally charged evolution.

Absentia, the upcoming fourth album, opens a new chapter. Themes of grief, depression, and loss are explored, and guest contributions by Aaron Stainthorpe (My Dying Bride) and Tim Yatras (Austere) lend the album even deeper emotional weight.

“This is our pain...”

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Rock 'N' Load (9/10): "Splendidula has created something that is so much more than an album, this is an emotional experience."

Time For Metal (9.2/10): "A hardly comparable ritual mixture of Doom and Sludge, very spiritual and yet full of heavyness."

Distorted Sound (9/10): "A varied melting pot of excellent, captivating music, their greatest and most impressive output to date."

Soil Chronicles (9.75/10): "Increases emotions with its power and solemnity, a total masterpiece of light and shadow."

World Of Metal (9/10): "Something between doom and sludge, but much more than that, recommended to consume."

Metal Addiction (9/10): "Darkness and forcefulness, strong and slow rhythms, very careful compositions."

Musika (9/10): "A record full of variety and surprising elements, we dare to use the term masterpiece."

La Grosse Radio (9/10): "A unique and hypnotic identity, a remarkable release at the start of the year."