Sun After Dark, a new progressive dark metal band from Germany led by Benjamin König (ex-Lunar Aurora), have released their debut album Tatkraft via Hammerheart Records today.

Order Tatkraft here: https://sunaftedark.lnk.to/tatkraft

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Benjamin comments: “It’s an honor for me to be able to release my debut album Tatkraft via Hammerheart Records! Together with outstanding musicians and artists, a rich and powerful album was created. If you’re looking for something unique and full of character in today’s music world, you’ll find it here! Eight black songs, but at their core with a lot of light and energy. For all open minds looking for a mix of LUNAR AURORA, EMPYRIUM and dark metal, this will be just the thing!“

For fans of: Rammstein, Celtic Frost, Empyrium, The Vision Bleak

Sun After Dark is the project of Benjamin König from Germany, best known as a founding member of the black metal band Lunar Aurora (1994–2012). As the band’s primary composer, he was responsible for nine albums and various compilations. Now, with Sun After Dark, König will release his debut album, Tatkraft — a German word meaning drive, energy, or moxie.

The music on Tatkraft blends modern elements with black metal, dark atmospheres, heavy guitars, and intense, evocative moods, with a hint of mythology woven in. Life is made up of stories, experiences, and defining moments — mastering it often requires “tatkraft”. This album explores those experiences, shaped and expressed with that same spirit. The lyrics are in English, German, and Bavarian dialect, a nod to König’s roots in Upper Bavaria.

Tatkraft was produced by Victor Bullok (Triptykon) at Woodshed Studio in autumn 2024. Following this collaboration, Thomas Helm and Benjamin König have decided to continue Sun After Dark as a duo. However, the project remains a studio endeavour, with no plans for live performances — each member is active in other well-known bands, such as Empyrium and Dark Fortress, where they can be seen on stage.

Tracklist:
1. Dawn and Dirges
2. Waidmanns Hoffnung
3. Ohne Gråb
4. Schlittenfahrt
5. Burning Blue
6. Näbe
7. Leaving Metropolis
8. Antarctic Morning

Line-up:
Benjamin König – Guitars, Bass, Keys
Thomas Helm – Vocals
Matthias Jell – Vocals
Martin Falkenstein – Vocals
Matthias Landes – Drums
Katrin Rohde – Strings 

Follow Sun After Dark online: 
https://www.instagram.com/sun.after.dark.official/
https://www.facebook.com/sunafterdark

Sun After Dark, a new band led by Benjamin König (ex-Lunar Aurora), will release their debut album Tatkraft  on 13th June via Hammerheart Records. The second single ‘Burning Blue’ is now streaming on all digital platforms. Album pre-orders are available here: https://sunaftedark.lnk.to/tatkraft

Listen to ‘Burning Blue‘ here: https://sunaftedark.lnk.to/burningblue

Benjamin comments: “‘Burning Blue’ is an almost catchy and straightforward song. The plot revolves around the ancient dream of flying: in this case, flying through the night, over ruins and through dark dungeons. Lots of clichéd themes, but atmospherically packaged and made to float and immerse yourself. Enchanted with dust from old times, like a fairy tale, almost forgotten, yet burned into our childhood. I think we all know these nightflight dreams. The basic form of the song is many years old, but has been reworked for this album. Now was the right time and place for this song.”

Hailing from Bavaria, Germany, Sun After Dark is best described as progressive dark metal with elements of black and atmospheric metal. However, it is regarded as something fresh, new, and unheard of.

The band features experienced musicians who have made their mark in groups such as Empyrium and Dark Fortress. Adding to the excitement, the production quality is phenomenal. Tatkraft (German for “drive/energy”) was recorded by Victor Bullok (of Tryptikon) at Woodshed Studios (known for Tryptikon and Dark Fortress).

For fans of: Rammstein, Celtic Frost, The Vision Bleak, Empyrium

Sun After Dark is the project of Benjamin König from Germany, best known as a founding member of the black metal band Lunar Aurora (1994–2012). As the band’s primary composer, he was responsible for nine albums and various compilations. Now, with Sun After Dark, König will release his debut album, Tatkraft — a German word meaning drive, energy, or moxie.

The music on Tatkraft blends modern elements with black metal, dark atmospheres, heavy guitars, and intense, evocative moods, with a hint of mythology woven in. Life is made up of stories, experiences, and defining moments — mastering it often requires Tatkraft. This album explores those experiences, shaped and expressed with that same spirit. The lyrics are in English, German, and Bavarian dialect, a nod to König’s roots in Upper Bavaria.

Tatkraft was produced by Victor Bullok (Triptykon) at Woodshed Studio in autumn 2024. Following this collaboration, Thomas Helm and Benjamin König have decided to continue Sun After Dark as a duo. However, the project remains a studio endeavour, with no plans for live performances — each member is active in other well-known bands where they can be seen on stage.

Tracklist
1. Dawn and Dirges
2. Waidmanns Hoffnung
3. Ohne Gråb
4. Schlittenfahrt
5. Burning Blue
6. Näbe
7. Leaving Metropolis
8. Antarctic Morning

Line up
Benjamin König: Guitars, Bass, Keys
Thomas Helm: Vocals
Matthias Jell: Vocals
Martin Falkenstein: Vocals
Matthias Landes: Drums
Katrin Rohde: Strings 

Sun After Dark online: 
https://www.instagram.com/sun.after.dark.official/
https://www.facebook.com/sunafterdark

Sun After Dark, a new band led by Benjamin König (ex-Lunar Aurora), will release their debut album Tatkraft  on 13th June via Hammerheart Records. The first single ‘Näbe’ is now streaming on all digital platforms.

Album pre-orders are available here: https://sunaftedark.lnk.to/tatkraft

Listen to ‘Näbe‘ here: https://sunaftedark.lnk.to/nabe

Benjamin comments on the track: “‘Näbe’ is the Bavarian word for fog.The special thing about this song is that it partly consists of an unused song that I wrote for the Lunar Aurora album Hoagascht in 2010. You can hear the similarity to the Hoagascht album, but at the same time it is something completely new. In my opinion it combines the past and the present perfectly.“

Hailing from Bavaria, Germany, Sun After Dark is best described as progressive dark metal with elements of black and atmospheric metal. However, it is regarded as something fresh, new, and unheard of.

The band features experienced musicians who have made their mark in groups such as  Empyrium  and Dark Fortress. Adding to the excitement, the production quality is phenomenal. Tatkraft (German for “drive/energy”) was recorded by Victor Bullok (of Tryptikon) at Woodshed Studios (known for Tryptikon and Dark Fortress).

Track-list
1. Dawn and Dirges
2. Waidmanns Hoffnung
3. Ohne Gråb
4. Schlittenfahrt
5. Burning Blue
6. Näbe
7. Leaving Metropolis
8. Antarctic Morning

Sun After Dark is the project of Benjamin König from Germany, best known as a founding member of the black metal band Lunar Aurora (1994–2012). As the band’s primary composer, he was responsible for nine albums and various compilations. Now, with Sun After Dark, König will release his debut album, Tatkraft—a German word meaning drive, energy, or moxie.

The music on Tatkraft blends modern elements with black metal, dark atmospheres, heavy guitars, and intense, evocative moods, with a hint of mythology woven in. Life is made up of stories, experiences, and defining moments—mastering it often requires Tatkraft. This album explores those experiences, shaped and expressed with that same spirit. The lyrics are in English, German, and Bavarian dialect, a nod to König’s roots in Upper Bavaria.

Tatkraft was produced by Victor Bullok (Triptykon) at Woodshed Studio in autumn 2024. Following this collaboration, Thomas Helm and Benjamin König have decided to continue Sun After Dark as a duo. However, the project remains a studio endeavor, with no plans for live performances—each member is active in other well-known bands where they can be seen on stage.

Line up
Benjamin König: Guitars, Bass, Keys
Thomas Helm: Vocals
Matthias Jell: Vocals
Martin Falkenstein: Vocals
Matthias Landes: Drums
Katrin Rohde: Strings 

Sun After Dark online: 
https://www.instagram.com/sun.after.dark.official/
https://www.facebook.com/sunafterdark

Hammerheart Records is proud to announce a collaboration with Sun After Dark, a new band led by Benjamin König (ex-Lunar Aurora). Sun After Dark will release their debut album Tatkraft in the Summer of 2025 via the label. A first glimpse of things to come can be found HERE. 

Hailing from Bavaria, Germany, Sun After Dark is best described as progressive dark metal with elements of black and atmospheric metal. However, it is regarded as something fresh, new, and unheard of.

Benjamin comments on the signing: “It’s a great honor for me to be signed to Hammerheart Records! Having made music since around 1993, I’ve been familiar with various Hammerheart Records releases from the very beginning, and the fact that I can now be part of this great label is truly fantastic! With my project, Sun After Dark, I blend both old and modern stylistic elements on my debut album, Tatkraft, which aligns well with Hammerheart Records‘ style, as they represent both old-school material and modern music. I would like to thank Guido and the entire team, and I look forward to working together!“

The band features experienced musicians who have made their mark in groups such as Empyrium and Dark Fortress. Adding to the excitement, the production quality is phenomenal. Tatkraft (German for “drive/energy”) was recorded by Victor Bullok (of Tryptikon) at Woodshed Studios (known for Tryptikon and Dark Fortress) and sounds flawless.

For fans of: Rammstein, Celtic Frost, The Vision Bleak, Empyrium

Sun After Dark is the project of Benjamin König from Germany, best known as a founding member of the black metal band Lunar Aurora (1994–2012). As the band’s primary composer, he was responsible for nine albums and various compilations. Now, with Sun After Dark, König will release his debut album, Tatkraft—a German word meaning drive, energy, or moxie.

The music on Tatkraft blends modern elements with black metal, dark atmospheres, heavy guitars, and intense, evocative moods, with a hint of mythology woven in. Life is made up of stories, experiences, and defining moments—mastering it often requires Tatkraft. This album explores those experiences, shaped and expressed with that same spirit. The lyrics are in English, German, and Bavarian dialect, a nod to König’s roots in Upper Bavaria.

Tatkraft was produced by Victor Bullok (Triptykon) at Woodshed Studio in autumn 2024. Following this collaboration, Thomas Helm and Benjamin König have decided to continue Sun After Dark as a duo. However, the project remains a studio endeavor, with no plans for live performances—each member is active in other well-known bands where they can be seen on stage.

Line up
Benjamin König: Guitars, Bass, Keys
Thomas Helm: Vocals
Matthias Jell: Vocals
Martin Falkenstein: Vocals
Matthias Landes: Drums
Katrin Rohde: Strings 

Sun After Dark online: 
https://www.instagram.com/sun.after.dark.official/
https://www.facebook.com/sunafterdark