(written by Islander)
We’re about to premiere a beautifully made short film that’s mysterious, haunting, and harrowing, paired with a song by Domhain (from Northern Ireland) that channels those same feelings… and more. Together, they create a completely engrossing and emotionally compelling experience, one we predict won’t be soon forgotten by anyone who watches and listens.
The song is “My Tomb Beneath the Tide“. It’s from Domhain’s new album In Perfect Stillness, which will be released by These Hands Melt on February 20th, 2026. Spoilers follow, so feel free to scroll down to the video now.
As the film begins, a troubled, solitary figure on a shoreline gazes across at vast grey skies, a cold grey sea, and rocky outcroppings that interrupt the slowly rolling tides. Domhain provide the soundtrack to this setting with brightly glinting notes and a gently musing bass, creating a mood of both introspection and wonder.
The figure begins to claw into the wet sand, and the music simultaneously elevates and becomes immensely heavier. Andy Ennis’ singing voice passionately rises, carrying a plaintive, tormented melody and pleading to be taken from this world, soaring high above gunshot drums, enormous bass-throbs, and instruments that seem to moan and wail.
The woman continues digging herself a cavity in the sand and the song intensifies, bringing forward Ennis’ savage snarls, joined by the remarkable high-arcing voice of the band’s guest Sarah Fielding, and by rippling guitars that generate an anguished tremor. The song also includes beautiful singing by the band’s Anaïs Chareyre-Méjan as well.
A second figure slowly approaches as the protagonist crawls inside the water-filled depression she has dug. The music slows, rumbles, and groans, sinking the listener into a dark emotional abyss. Even as Ennis sings again, a piercing solo itself seems to claw and then to surge as the woman gazes upward. That second figure (whose age-weathered face we eventually see) seems to gently caress her — and then kills her with her bare hands.
During those death throes the drums hammer, the riffing boils and burns, and Ennis intensely howls. In the aftermath, the rhythm section vanishes and the guitars plaintively ring again, but the music also then crashes and pounds as the film flashes visions of other dead things on the shore.
Once more the singers soar and shimmering instruments yearn as the tide rolls in and recedes, covering the dead woman in sand and seaweed. The music is beautiful and mystical but very sad, as are the softly spoken words that help usher the song to its conclusion, which thus completes a circle back to the track’s opening.
Domhain have described the song as “a death-scene on a collapsing world: a person lying on a cold beach, the final dopamine hit painting the sky with visions of their life and surrendering to the spirit of the sea with calm acceptance.” They continue:
“We took inspiration from our dark and stormy Irish weather, and from our connection to the sea and to wilderness in general. The subject of the tides came naturally for this track, as the riffs reminded us of the perpetual movement of the waves which will turn bones into sand.
“We were very lucky to welcome Sarah Fielding from Darkest Era as guest vocalist for this track; she joined the harmonies in this most powerful and creative way, unique to her.
“The music video itself was directed by our drummer/vocalist Anaïs. Thank you for watching, we hope you enjoy it!”
As portrayed by These Hands Melt, and as you’ve just experienced for yourselves, “Domhain is a quartet that blends an emotional mix of post-black metal, blackgaze, and atmospheric black metal, featuring distinctive vocal harmonies and cello.”
DOMHAIN are:
Andy Ennis – Vocals & bass guitar
Anaïs Chareyre-Méjan – Drums, vocals & cello
Nathan Irvine – Guitars
Ashley Irwin – Guitars & backing vocals
In Perfect Stillness also features guests John Wilson (Piano) and Raul Andueza (Cello) on the track “Footsteps II”. The album was produced by Domhain and Chris Fielding (Conan, Primordial). It was recorded and mixed at Foel Studio by Chris Fielding, and it was mastered by Mike Lamb.
In Perfect Stillness will be available in the following formats: three-panel Digipack CD (limited to 300 copies), including a 12-page booklet; LP Dark Green Vinyl (Limited to 200 copies), including a 12-page 30x30cm booklet; and digital. Pre-orders are available now.
PRE-ORDER:
http://ffm.bio/domhain
DOMHAIN:
https://www.facebook.com/Domhain.band/
https://www.instagram.com/domhain_band/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5LLcGMtOdgLhqrvrF6prnG
https://domhain-band.bandcamp.com
THESE HANDS MELT:
https://thesehandsmelt.shop/
https://thesehandsmelt.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebood.com/these.hands.melt
https://www.instagram.com/these.hands.melt