There can be much more light inside a room than just that silver lining underneath the door - one just needs to open the blinds a bit. That is what Astraya are doing on the opener to their upcoming record which also happens to be the next premiere here for Veil of Sound. Enjoy “A Spark Within” and its accompanying live video.
The Gathering were always a fascinating band - no matter which period. Astraya might remind one mostly of The Gathering’s more melodious tracks on If Then Else - a little less gloomy, very well-produced, remarkably performed vocal lines and an altogether slightly brighter feeling than on previous records (and please bear in mind that basically no Gathering-period is bad, they are all great!)
Now Stuttgart, Germany-based Dark Rock outfit Astraya comes up with a track intriguingly similar to what Anneke and her bandmates did some near 25 years ago. “A Spark Within” is firmly based on Dark Rock with some Gothic elements but the latter surely do not pull you down into darkness but rather lift you up into some more sparkly scenery.
This is what the band has to say about the track: “A Spark Within” holds a very special place for us. It came to life almost effortlessly, and from the very first moment we knew it had to be the opener of our record — and introduce this new chapter of ASTRAYA as our first single. We love playing it live because it carries so much power. […] It also marks the first time we allowed ourselves to lean into something brighter. The song begins in darkness, almost fragile and uncertain, but as it unfolds, a quiet strength emerges. By the end, it carries a simple but powerful message: no matter how heavy the night may feel, there is always a way forward — as long as you hold on to hope.
The “quiet strength” mentioned here must surely be attributed to the vocals by Melina Abele whose longing melancholy is never submissive or weak but always fighting and reaching - a quality that carries through many tracks on the upcoming new record Atropine which can now be ordered via These Hands Melt’s webshop (just hit the button above) or via the bands’s own BC-page - and now let some light in and enjoy the sunshine within the darkness with A Spark Within”!
