Introduction
Italian one-man project Dark Aries Project returns with "Hamavet," a new EP released on September 26, 2026. Built around a fascination with different shades of heavy music, the project combines dark and atmospheric passages with heavier, more aggressive sections and contemporary metal elements — and at the centre of the release stands "Astaroth," a track that captures everything the project does best.
Artist background
Dark Aries Project describes itself as a dystopian horror post-metal project from Italy. As a one-man project, it has explored different forms of rock and metal while developing a growing body of material and a rising social-media following. The project has already produced five albums/EPs and has also been involved in live performances, supported by a wider crew behind the project. That independent approach is reflected in the music itself: instead of being restricted to one narrowly defined metal genre, Dark Aries Project uses contrasting influences as part of its creative identity.
The title "Hamavet" is derived from the Hebrew term meaning "The Death," and it forms part of the EP's fictional storyline. The story takes place in an imaginary city ruled by an evil mayor who, through manipulation, attempts to control his people while framing and publicly humiliating the protagonist, Ilinx. Themes of manipulation, power and isolation run through the overall presentation of the EP, creating an immersive setting in which the music and story complement each other.
Review of the song
"Astaroth" is built around the clash between different sides of metal, bringing together modern and old-school influences in a dynamic and unpredictable composition. The track moves through black metal-inspired riffs, modern melodic metal and quieter passages that gradually drift toward post-rock territory. Rather than remaining within a single stylistic framework, it constantly shifts between intensity and restraint — aggression meets melody, heaviness meets silence, and tension is contrasted with more introspective and atmospheric moments.
Musical analysis
The influence of melodic metal is particularly evident in the song's approach to melody, while the atmospheric sections create a strong contrast with its heavier moments. What makes "Astaroth" compelling is how deliberately those contrasts are handled: the transitions never feel accidental, and the song continually changes its emotional and sonic direction without losing its central identity. The result maintains a clear metal identity throughout while giving the listener a genuine sense of journey.
Why listeners should pay attention
"Hamavet" is not only a collection of different metal sounds — it is a narrative concept. The fictional world behind the EP adds another layer to its dark musical atmosphere, and "Astaroth" provides the clearest example of how the music and the story work together. For listeners interested in atmospheric, experimental and modern forms of metal, the EP offers a distinctive journey through darkness, tension and melody, carried by an artist with a clear and growing creative identity.
Conclusion
With "Hamavet," Dark Aries Project presents a release that moves between atmospheric darkness, heavier passages, melodic metal influences and moments of relative calm — and "Astaroth" ties it all together. It is a release that rewards attentive listening: the more you engage with its story and its contrasts, the more it gives back. Dark Aries Project's "Hamavet" is out now, released September 26, 2026.
Recommended for fans of
Fans of atmospheric and experimental modern metal — listeners of post-metal, black metal-inspired riffing, melodic metal and post-rock textures, and anyone drawn to heavy music with a narrative concept behind it.
Follow the artist
Artist: Dark Aries Project (one-man dystopian horror post-metal project from Italy). Track: "Astaroth". EP: "Hamavet" (five albums/EPs to date). Released: September 26, 2026. Genre: Dystopian horror post-metal.
Official video: https://youtu.be/S4bhum0BQKE
For more information and music from Dark Aries Project, follow the project through its official channels and streaming platforms.
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© Tomi Perrakoski / Metal Madness Weekly
