March 1, 2024 will see SULDUSK release their sophomore studio offering, entitled “Anthesis,” continuing where they left off with their captivating debut, yet musically more complex. While SULDUSK started as a one-woman project, for “Anthesis,” Highfield recruited incredibly talented musicians to help elevate the vision of their acoustic-based music to the level of an intense, powerful and heavy record. The album will take you into a gloomy magical world where the Melbourne-based project combines a high variety of different dark and extreme sounds with its very own sonic universe.

 The short “Astraeus” is first, and it sets the mood for the album. When it begins, I picture someone parting the curtains when the sun rises in a mountain home, taking in the glorious beauty of it all. “Verdalet” is more of a sonic boom, with clean vocals at first, followed by harsh screams. The contrast in Emily’s voice is quite striking, and she presents as a wolf in sheep’s clothing in this regard. Underneath it all, the music sways with layers and builds. “Crowns of Esper” opens slowly, with birds chirping, but dark skies looming, but they dissipate quickly in favor of solemn, subdued, and gentle storytelling. Strings augment the delicate beauty of this song, and it’s quite charming and whimsical.

 “Crystalline” has another slow and dreamy entrance, almost like the initial haze you see after just waking up. Much of the song’s power comes in the vocal harmonies and raised sonority in the chorus, but the anguished screams are just as vital. “Sphaera” has a more graceful and subtle sound, and those vocal harmonies are so sweet. Let this song carry you away like a gentle ocean wave into the deep abyss, but without a care in the world. The further you drift away, the more you feel at peace with being lost. The title track is like a bomb dressed as a young kid. They greet you with a smile, but when you turn your back, they explode.

 “Mythical Creatures” begins with clean vocals, acoustic guitars, and what sounds like a cello to me. The three dance together gently around the fire, slowly losing themselves in the moment, and unconcerned who may be watching. “Leven” also accentuates the compassionate and affable side of the album, but there are moments of hardened passion from the instruments as well. The seven minute closer is called “A Luminous End.” Gentle tones sway in like a breeze, and your eyes begin to close, until the screams jar you awake. The two styles lock in combat, each gaining on the other at times, but in the end, beauty always triumphs over darkness.

From their Facebook page, their words to describe the album are “anthesis means to bloom in Greek. Sometimes growth is a brutal process.”  Growth can be accompanied by challenges, setbacks, and even pain. It's a reminder that amidst the beauty of transformation, there may be moments of struggle and difficulty. Growth often requires perseverance, resilience, and the ability to weather storms along the way. It also serves as a reminder that growth can be an ultimately rewarding, process. “Anthesis” is a testament to the strength and resilience inherent in both nature and ourselves.