The darker days of autumn are what have inspired Hexen, an original album by Innocent Darkness, which was released on 6 October 2026. Taking advantage of the mysterious atmosphere linked with October, the project looks at the intersection between darkness and an unexpectedly cheerful mood. The main images it presents suggest forests getting ready for winter, the natural world moving into the colder season, and the idea that «the witches are coming». Instead of viewing darkness as completely bleak, Hexen accepts its mysterious qualities while still allowing for a more positive emotional tone.
Influenced by pioneering witch house artists such as Salem, White Ring, and Monomorte, the album embraces a creative approach rooted in the genre’s distinctive sound. By referencing these artists, Hexen is situated within a dark electronic tradition, even though its use of layered sounds gives the project a distinct identity of our own. The various sounds are combined into well-formed compositions, bringing together opposing moods without giving up the gloomy atmosphere which characterises the release. This balance between darkness and a more uplifting underlying mood is a key aspect of the album’s appeal, providing a listening experience based on seasonal imagery and a respect for the more unconventional aspects of electronic music.
Hexen was recorded at home and shows a practical way of making music, with a focus on experimentation, atmosphere and the mixing of various sounds. The compositions produced are meant to sound natural and immersive rather than being excessively refined or driven by commercial considerations. Throughout the project’s concept, nature has remained a key source of inspiration, especially the forest, oak trees and stags. These elements establish the link between the album’s sound and the changing conditions of autumn, providing a clear thematic basis for its more sombre electronic direction.
For those who are attracted to witch house and atmospheric electronic music, Hexen provides an opportunity to adopt the mysterious aspect of the season while still retaining its warmth and vitality. The album achieves this distinctive contrast suitable for its October timeframe through the use of dark textures, layered arrangements, and uplifting elements. Rather than just reflecting the darkness of autumn, it aims to convey the strange beauty of this transition into winter, which makes it an appropriate release for people who enjoy raw sounds, unusual moods, and music inspired by the natural world.
TRACKS
1. Crimson Stag
2. Verdwaald in het Zwart
3. Bioluminescent Shadows
4. Neon Thorns
