The Sacred Neurotic

Born in the early days of the pandemic Dark Sky Burial serves as an essential musical outlet for Shane Embury who was struggling with himself and his perception of the world around him. After the years of admiration and being massively influenced by various experimental electronic artists, Embury, an honored veteran of the extreme metal scene, decided to put together the project that would unite his love to experimentation and would allow to push the bar further and further.

“During the years of Covid as people are probably aware Dark Sky Burial was taking shape and form. In 2021 myself and Carl Stokes, who have been friends since we were 18, decided to collaborate on each other’s music. We both come from a heavy metal background, yet over the years ventured out into experimental paths.”

The newest chapter of Dark Sky Burial, marked by the upcoming release of ‘Sacred Neurotic’ is the most collaborative one. As Carl Stokes notices “Firstly it’s always a joy to work with Shane, he has some sort of perpetual energy, a creative well of great depth that’s seems never to run dry. We have been friends since the mid Eighties, so have developed an intuition between us. When one presents something, Shane instantly can hear what to do. Pure alchemy.”

For Shane, Dark Sky Burial is more than just another project. But a different, multi-layered one shaped through personal tragedies and a quest for truth Embury believes DSB ignited in him meaning and urge to discover just who he truly is. “Sacred Neurotic” marks the culmination of five years of creative evolution between Shane Embury and Carl Stokes. “We both share vocals on this album and Carl also played some drums on some of the tracks mixed in with electronic drums and we also added synths and guitars,” says Shane. “This album moves forward in huge ways vocally and musically in many different directions compared to the more electronic themed albums previously released.”

Inspired by Jungian ideas of the shadow and individuation, the record delves into the conflict between light and darkness within.  “What if the neurotic is right? What they see in this world, something monstrous, the monster in all of us!” say Carl and Shane reflecting on the conceptual essence of the album. “A collection of tracks based around the old religions, archetypal patterns and metaphor. The themes of humanity’s constant war against the opposites echoing our struggle to connect the opposites inside our very selves. An anxious, frenetic, sometimes sweet and melodic collection imagined by two old friends with a shared interest in boundaryless creativity.”