Catacombes by Werna Wolf

Death is but the beginning.

Silent is the Way. Listen — and you shall see.

ABOUT THE ALBUM

The very idea CATACOMBES is based upon surprisingly came about as I was working on an upcoming split album with Naïwyn from Azgaal (https://azgaal.bandcamp.com/). Why surprisingly? Because I had originally planned to stop making music after DERNIER REMPART (https://wernawolf.bandcamp.com/album/dernier-rempart). But that was before the split project, which I can't thank Naïwyn enough for.

After having pondered for a while upon its possibility, the making of CATACOMBES effortlessly flowed from my fingers, which made the four-month process an extremely enjoyable one, although the album does express with sounds that overwhelming and unspeakable darkness I was indeed going through during the whole period. Diving into the catacombs of my own self eventually proved salvatory and this album is the treasure I brought back from the dead. The fact that I recorded its most important parts during Lent and completed its creation right before Easter should therefore come as no surprise.

It also has to be said, in this day and age, that no generative AI was used during the making of this album. My computer, a DAW, percussion sounds, a drum kit, a synthesizer and a few Mellotron samples (mainly) were all that was required to compose and record CATACOMBES. This is probably the most old-school dungeon synth album I have ever made.

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

The drawing I made is mostly based upon photographs of Rome's Catacombs and the Death Tarot card. I challenged myself to make it much darker than my previous artworks and am positive I have reached my goal. And that was on the very day Pope Francis died, may God rest his soul.

On the day before, i.e. on Easter Sunday, I drew a Trump card from my Tarot deck. And, yes, as you may have guessed, it was Death indeed.

Tracklist

1.	I	1:42

2.	II	3:38

3.	III	2:19

4.	IV	3:39

5.	V	1:58

6.	VI	3:34

7.	VII	2:58

8.	VIII	4:39

9.	IX	2:57

10.	X	1:26

Credits

released April 22, 2025

Composed, played, recorded, mixed and mastered by Werna Wolf from January to April 2025.

Artwork and layout by Werna Wolf.

SPECIAL HAILS

Naïwyn (Azgaal), François Kärlek (Fanfare Karlek), Vince le Souriant, Arsule, Verdo, Ferin, Erang, Hermith, Rémy (Percidae), Sven Mor, Julien Lacroix, John Lordswood, Fab Scap, Edmond Hawksbill, Percidae, Quentin (Hrothgar), Carole R., The Dungeon Noise Cavern YT channel, The Dungeon Synth Archives, the Black Metal Artists YT channel, the French and international Dungeon Synth communities, my former bandmates from Alloy, Alain (Usquam), Mina, Stéphane B., Stéphane M., Elo Die, Julien L., my parents, all those who support this project in any possible way and especially YOU.

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