THE VOID JOURNAL | Nyrak reveal the first spell from their forthcoming offering

The Belgium black metallers Nyrak reveal the first glimpse into their forthcoming offering, “Empires of Ash”, to be released on November 26th via Void Wanderer Productions (https://voidwanderer.com).

Nyrak is a progressive black metal band from Belgium, founded in late 2021 by Guy Van Nieuwenhove as a solo studio project. From the beginning, the focus was on creating a distinctive sound that combines the raw intensity of black metal with progressive elements and cinematic atmospheres. The debut album “Malvs” was released in 2022, followed by the critically acclaimed second album “Devourer Of All” in 2024. Following the release of “Malvs”, Nyrak evolved from a solo studio project into a full-fledged live band with a permanent lineup, bringing the band’s music to the stage and opening a new chapter in its development.

In May 2025, Nyrak released the Dolby Atmos EP “Faceless Tyrant”, further exploring the band’s cinematic and immersive approach to extreme metal. Later, in October the same year, the band released its third full-length album, “Phoenix Mortis”, through Void Wanderer Productions (Netherlands). The album marked another step in the band’s evolution, featuring a darker and more layered sound that further strengthens Nyrak’s own identity. Following the release of “Phoenix Mortis”, Nyrak continued its international growth, with shows across Europe, from Eastern Europe (10 days tour) and the United Kingdom to France, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium. The band further established itself as an intense and immersive live act, with “Phoenix Mortis” as the latest chapter in the band’s journey.

With “Empires of Ash”, Belgian black metal band Nyrak returns a year after the well-received “Phoenix Mortis” with an album that further develops the band’s musical identity. Uncompromising black metal is combined with complex structures, dark melodies and atmospheric passages. Carefully integrated orchestral layers add depth and grandeur at the right moments, without ever overshadowing the raw power of the music. From the ominous opening of “The Saturnalia Prophecy”, the listener is drawn into an album that constantly moves between contrasting extremes. Furious passages give way to melodic and atmospheric moments, while complex rhythms and layered guitar work keep the music in constant motion. The songs feel intense and direct, yet leave enough room for tension and atmosphere to unfold. “Towards a Haunted Future” brings out a darker and more unsettling side of Nyrak, with dissonant tones creating a sense of unease and tension. “Upon Wings of Pestilence” and “Stare Into the Eyes of Death”, two of the album’s three singles, showcase different facets of the same sound, ranging from furious black metal intensity to more atmospheric and introspective passages.

This sense of contrast is an important part of “Empires of Ash”. Alongside its more furious passages, the album also makes room for heavier and more atmospheric moments. “Kali Yuga” slows the pace and brings the album into a more charged and ominous atmosphere. Haunting melodies and a dark intensity give the track an almost hypnotic character, with its power lying largely in the tension that gradually builds. “The Fall of Man” adds a more melancholic and emotional dimension, while “Rêverie de la Mort” is a captivating orchestral piece that further deepens the atmosphere of the album and creates a distinctive transition towards the finale. With “Ozymandias”, the album reaches its climax. Grand in scope while remaining rooted in Nyrak’s distinctive black metal sound, the track provides a fitting conclusion to the journey. Its title refers to the famous image of a once-mighty empire reduced to ruins – a theme that runs as a dark undercurrent throughout the album. Beneath the aggression, darkness and musical depth lies an album exploring decay, human hubris, power and mortality.

With “Empires of Ash”, Nyrak establishes its own identity within contemporary black metal: intense, yet with a strong sense of atmosphere, dynamics and detail. An album where power and subtlety constantly exist side by side.

Tracklist:
1 The Saturnalia Prophecy
2 Towards a Haunted Future
3 Stare Into the Eyes of Death
4 Upon Wings of Pestilence
5 The Fall of Man
6 Kali Yuga
7 Rêverie de la Mort
8 Ozymandias

Delve into the piece “The Saturnalia Prophecy” below: