K�kht Ar�kh Release 'Morning Star' Album and Present 'Castle' as a Defining Statement

K�kht Ar�kh continues to shape a distinctive path within black metal with �Morning Star�, a record that reflects both artistic growth and a deeper exploration of identity. Emerging from a period of personal and creative transformation, the album brings together aggressive passages and introspective atmospheres, balancing intensity with emotional depth.

Set for release on March 27, 2026 via Sacred Bones, �Morning Star� was recorded between Berlin and Stockholm, capturing a sound that moves between raw immediacy and immersive textures. The use of analog recording techniques, including a tape Portastudio, gives the album a lo-fi warmth that contrasts with its more ferocious elements.

Throughout his work, K�kht Ar�kh has developed a signature dynamic between visceral black metal and more fragile, melancholic compositions. On �Morning Star�, that contrast reaches a new level, expanding the emotional range while maintaining a clear artistic identity.

The track �Castle� serves as a central piece within the album, introducing themes that resonate across the entire record. Built around a sense of vulnerability and introspection, the song explores ideas of escapism and emotional distance, reflecting a desire to withdraw from external pressures. Its structure combines elements rooted in 90s Norwegian black metal with more atmospheric passages, including influences drawn from artists such as Current 93.

�Castle� also reflects the early stages of the album�s development, helping define its overall direction. Its atmosphere is shaped in part by contributions from Varg2� and SP�KE, whose ambient arrangements add depth and texture to the composition.

The creation of �Morning Star� was marked by both clarity and struggle. The material reflects a period defined by stress, anxiety, and moments of creative stagnation, elements that ultimately contribute to the album�s raw and personal tone. Dmitry, the driving force behind the project, recorded most of the instrumentation himself, reinforcing the album�s intimate character.

Collaboration plays a key role throughout the record. Jonathan contributes drums, while Bladee appears on �Eternal Martyr�, bringing a different perspective that blends naturally with the project�s aesthetic. Despite coming from different musical backgrounds, both artists share a focus on emotional expression and world-building, allowing the collaboration to develop organically.

Additional contributions from VS--55 and Varg2� shape the album�s sonic textures through sampling and experimental elements, while mastering by James Ginzburg adds depth and cohesion to the final sound.

�Morning Star� stands as both a continuation and a refinement of K�kht Ar�kh�s artistic direction. Drawing from the foundations of 90s black metal while incorporating lo-fi production, atmospheric layering, and personal narrative, the album presents a work that is both grounded in tradition and open to exploration.

Morning Star Tracklist
W�nderer
Castle
Lament
Genom sorgen
Angest
M�rker �ver m�rker
Three winters away
Dr�ms�ng
Raven king
Vigil
Eternal martyr
Trolls�ng
Land av evig natt I
Land av evig natt II
Gates
Morning star
Outro

LINEUP / CONTRIBUTORS
K�kht Ar�kh (Dmitry)
Jonathan
Bladee
VS--55
Varg2�
SP�KE
James Ginzburg

With �Morning Star�, K�kht Ar�kh consolidates a sound that balances raw intensity with introspection, building on black metal tradition while expanding its emotional and sonic scope. The album reflects both personal expression and artistic evolution, reinforcing a path defined not by convention, but by a continuous search for identity and depth.

Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist

Photo by Duran Levinson

Pre-order Morning Star here

Watch the official video for �Castle� below: