After you have been exploring the metal underground for some time you learn that the scene is so active that it is serves well to follow labels instead of bands. There is just too much going on to keep up. Even then it’s still virtually impossible to keep up. But it helps. And that’s how I bumped into THE VISION BLEAK—by following Prophecy Productions. Granted, I’m still late to the game—this Gothic Metal due has been around for 24 years—but at least I got to the procession before it made it to the cemetery.

THE VISION BLEAK is Konstanz and Schwadorf, two multi-instrumentalists based in the most German sounding of towns, Millrichstadt. On April 12, 2024 they release “Weird Tales,” their seventh full-length album. They say seven is a supernaturally lucky number. The album is one long track—41 minutes—but if you look at most track lists, including this one, you’ll see it described as 12 chapters. The chapters are inspired from great horror writers of the ages including H. P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Edgar Allen Poe, Lafcadio Hearn, Fred Chappell, and others. If you’re a fan of dark literature, the album will play like a the bleakest of Easter egg hunts.

From the album cover to the first video (“Chapter II: In Rue d'Auseil”) to each immersive track, the album pulls you in like a Hammer House of Horror film. Full on atmosphere, great musicianship, great storytelling. I want there to be a movie version—you know, like a soundtrack but the other way around. Apart from the deliciously dark nature of this album, the music itself is fantastic. Each track is composed with deliberate movements to match the grim spirit of the stories.

Interestingly, both members contribute keyboards as well as vocals. The keyboards are more about atmosphere and layering. The vocals are clean but very baroque and gothy. Schwadorf perform handles the guitar work—bass, rhythm, lead—and is as proficient with the heavy riffs as with the acoustic flourishes. Konstanz plays the drums with equal measures of fury and finesse. With only two members in the band, they are inherently tight as musicians.

Listening to “Weird Tales” you just want a decanter of blood red wine, a dwindling fire, and haunted castle to absorb it in. Barring that, try a nice set of headphones, but turn out the lights—darkness is compulsory—and enjoy.