(written by Islander)
This coming Sunday, December 21st, is the Winter Solstice, a day of both practical and mystical significance. In scientific terms, it marks the beginning of astronomical winter in the northern hemisphere. When the sun is out, the shadows will be the longest of the year because of the sun’s low angle above the horizon, and the night will also be the longest. Above the Arctic Circle there will be no daylight at all. After this solstice the days will slowly begin to grow longer until the Summer Solstice arrives.
In less verifiably measurable terms the day is a symbol of rebirth and the beginning of light’s return. It has been identified and commemorated by ancient civilizations (witness the alignment of such monuments as Stonehenge in England, Newgrange in Ireland, the Goseck Circle in Germany, and the Temple of Amun-Ra at Karnak) and celebrated for many millennia with festivals, including Yule (a word whose origins and forms are likewise ancient).
To honor the day and celebrate Yule in their own way, the Italian atmospheric black metal duo Eard will release a new song on the Winter Solstice this year. Its name is “Quiescence (Yule)“. As they explain, “Yule marks the return of the light at the heart of the year’s longest night, and the song embodies the hush before rebirth.”
The music of Eard will already be known by many people, thanks to their two albums released by Avantgarde Music — De Rerum Natura (2021) and Melancholia (2024). Among other aspects of their music that make it distinctive, it incorporates the ethereal sounds of the Celtic harp performed by Glorya Lyr, in addition to the other evocative instrumentation and vocals performed by MK, the band’s other member.
In two words, their new song, which we’re now premiering, is thrilling and spellbinding — and it beautifully captures this approaching day of transition between death and darkness and the beginning of greater light. In more words:
The song’s overture immediately creates a sublime and sparkling sensation, through an amalgam of drifting sonic mists that manifest as winter, and rippling and darting notes with a glittering sheen that seem like a herald of light reborn.
But this is indeed black metal, and so the music’s intensity suddenly expands, through the grim throb of raking riffage, steady marching beats, and harrowing howls. Those ethereal tones persist, but seem more stressed, more distraught, lest we forget that the sun’s steady march toward longer days is preceded by the longest and darkest night.
The drums leap forward into blasting momentum, the immersive tidal riffing seems both dismal and fraught, the vocals dramatically rise up, and the harp elegantly sings in melodies that sound like fervent yearning. The passion in the music is undeniable, though as the intensity subsides the song becomes even more spellbinding and mystically sublime. The final words of this thoroughly immersive song are these:
In gloom forlorn
Arise once more
Redeem the earth
In dawn reborn
The Celtic harp was performed by Glorya Lyr (who also wrote the song’s lyrics) and recorded by MK at Noir Studio. All other instruments were recorded by MK at Void Sounds Studio, and MK also mixed and mastered the song at Void Sounds Studio. The album cover was made by Glorya, and the band’s logo by Moonroot.
As noted, the new song will be released for streaming and download on December 21, 2025. See the links below to find that and to learn more about Eard and their activities.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eardmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eard.music/
Bandcamp: https://eard.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-it/artist/1Mkg34HO2r00vteckjHzz2