Sun After Dark - Tatkraft (2025) Hi-Res

Sun After Dark's 2025 debut album, Tatkraft, is the project of Benjamin König, formerly a founding member of the black metal band Lunar Aurora. According to Rastilho Records, the album "blends modern elements, dark tones, Black Metal and powerful moods to tell stories of life's experiences!" The music combines heavy guitars and a "small pinch of legends," with lyrics in English, German, and Bavarian dialect, reflecting König's Upper Bavarian roots. The title, Tatkraft, is a German word meaning "drive" or "energy."

Metal.de notes that Tatkraft showcases influences from Empyrium, particularly through the "godlike baritone" vocals interspersed with "gnarly shrieks." The album primarily operates at a mid-tempo pace, focusing on strong emotions, and utilizes layered, pulsating keyboards with occasional violin injections. The guitar work, as expected from König, tends towards darker tones but also offers a voluminous and heavy sound, contributing to a "contemporary heaviness." The production by Victor Bullok (Triptykon) is praised for its balance, ensuring clarity and an organic feel, allowing subtle details like sequencer beats and synth lines to shine. The album is described as an "intense, atmospheric experience."