A mystical fog is settling over the metal world – and CRESCENDIUM is at its heart. The project led by frontwoman and mastermind Elena Cor Tauri embodies gloomy energy channeled from the inner darkness. In this spirit, the project has transformed numerous international shows into dark, occult rituals, supporting such grand bands as Napalm Death, Aephanemer, and Ancst.
Following the release of unconventional compositions on their debut album “Within”, which explores mental illness, the project returns with the concept album “DRAC” (release date: November 11, 2026).
Haunting black and death metal frames a profound message: How is the medieval witch hunt connected to women’s lives in today’s society? In contrast to a digital world where everything is frantic and overwhelming, the music invites listeners to delve into their own shadows and transports them into a melancholic experience. Set against the backdrop of collective wounds from the past, “DRAC” tells the tale of a moving female journey through a repressive world. Powerful black metal passages collide with uncompromising death metal riffs, accompanied by epic choirs and orchestral soundscapes. The bombastic songs are framed by intense screams and soft vocals. DRAC, a word for “dragon,” is formed from the song titles, which blend English, German, and Latin lyrics.
“DRAC” Tracklist:
1. Prologue: As Within, So Without
2. Dämmerlicht
3. Ravish My Flesh, Soil My Name
4. Anderswelt
5. Chandra
6. Epilogue: As The Universe, So The Soul
The concept album tells the story of a nature-loving woman with magical abilities who fights for the greater good. Yet a patriarchal society stigmatizes her and burns her alive. This brutal fairy tale comes to an end with her transformation into a demon: no longer part of society, but free. The unreleased third single “Dämmerlicht” (coming in late October) weaves in quotes from the “Malleus maleficarum”, the grotesque 15th-century compendium of rules that was responsible for numerous witch burnings. Martin aka ChaoZ, frontman of the black metal band Verderbnis, appears as a dogmatic priest and guest vocalist.
“DRAC” is a reflection on forced exclusion and breaking free from a corrupt system. The first single “Ravish My Flesh, Soil My Name” (released in August 2026) depicts the brutality of this system. It becomes clear that the witch hunt is not just a medieval phenomenon, but continues to take place all over the world today.
CRESCENDIUM presents the new music video “Chandra” as the next chapter in the feminine black metal saga. This surreal, cinematic adventure unfolds in the dark forests of Finland. It is a horror fairy tale about the transformation of a naive girl into a demonic entity. Filled with striking metaphors that demand a second or third look, and intense imagery centered around frontwoman Elena, the music video is not for the faint of heart. Elena accompanies the fable with the words: “Don’t run away from your shadows – instead, embrace them with open arms.” Anyone who wants to experience CRESCENDIUM live is invited to attend the “DRAC” album release show in Hanover on November 7, 2026. Get your tickets HERE.
About CRESCENDIUM
Rebellion and darkness speak from the heart of CRESCENDIUM – under the flagship of Mystic Metal, the project sails through the abysses of the human soul to guide it into the light. CRESCENDIUM is the project of frontwoman and composer Elena Cor Tauri and was founded in 2018. The project has toured alongside bands such as Napalm Death, Aephanemer and Ancst, appeared on regional television, and played shows all across Europe.
The debut album “Within” received extensive praise from international metal media. It tells stories from inner worlds; each track is dedicated to a mental disorder. The compositions swing like a pendulum between chaos and hope, between death, black, and progressive metal. Philosophical, emotional, and gloomy metal with progressive and melodic elements transports listeners into profound realms. Aggressive blast beats and emotive orchestral passages alternate with blood-curdling screams and delicate vocal passages. Surrounding them are mystical sounds that tell of spiritual journeys, the eternal cycle of life and death, and the struggle against oppression. Night falls on dragon’s wings. The unspeakable reveals itself in a musical crescendo.
