Ahead of its arrival, Stuttgart-based dark rock quintet Astraya have presented a full stream of their sophomore album, “Atropine”. The band’s second full-length will be released on 24 April 2026 via These Hands Melt in CD, LP and Digital formats.
Listen to the album in full: https://youtu.be/KIhcVJ1M4Xg
This follows the band’s previously released music videos for “A Spark Within” and “A Theory of Time”.
Since their 2019 debut EP “Black Awakening”, Astraya has carved out a reputation for a “handmade” wall of sound that balances dreamlike longing with unrelenting rage. Vast moments of calm are built only to be torn down unexpectedly, demanding the listener’s full emotional commitment. Their music is a blend of dark rock, metal and doom, and is defined by the ethereal, classically influenced vocals of Melina Abele, which pierce through the band’s heavy atmosphere like sun rays through black clouds.
With their new album “Atropine”, the band explores human fragility, fate and time. The title track has a deeply mystical atmosphere, exploring the very moment of death and the idea that one’s fate may already be predetermined. This underlying theme runs throughout the entire record. “A Theory of Time” approaches our existence from a more scientific and philosophical perspective, analysing the nature of being and our place within the greater structure of time. Furthermore, the album reflects on humanity and its failings: addiction in “Valley of the Damned”, war in “In The Pale Glow of Torches” and “In Devotion”, and trauma in “Descendant of a Dead Man” and “Lighthouse”. Amid the album’s pervasive melancholy, the first single, “A Spark Within”, stands out as a small but powerful glimmer of hope. Through its dark sound, the music reinforces and amplifies the themes expressed in the lyrics.
“Atropine” was produced and mixed by the band’s own Tim Suske, with mastering handled by Roland Böffgen at Hard Drive Sounds Studio. The haunting cover artwork was created by Katja Schocke.
Pre-order “Atropine” now:
- These Hands Melt (Vinyl/CD): https://thesehandsmelt.shop/
- Bandcamp: https://astraya.bandcamp.com/album/atropine
The album will be available in the following formats:
- Vinyl LP: “Transparent Indigo” colour (Limited to 200 copies)
- CD: Digisleeve with booklet (Limited to 300 copies)
- Digital: All major streaming and download platforms
Atropine tracklist:
1. A Spark Within
2. Lighthouse
3. In Devotion
4. A Theory Of Time
5. Descendant of a Dead Man
6. Valley Of The Damned Pt. 1
7. In The Pale Glow Of Torches
8. Arrival
9. Valley Of The Damned Pt. 2
10. Atropine
Astraya are:
Melina Abele: Vocals
Benny Gölz: Guitar
Tim Suske: Guitar
Tobias Hänsel: Bass
Klaus Wintermayr: Drums