REVIEW

Aythis is the solo project of Carline Van Roos, best known as the vocalist for French dark doom metal bands Lethian Dreams and Remembrance. “Lost Lighthouse” was released simultaneously with “Celestial Exile,” and can be understood as its conceptual twin: drawing from the same core material, but reshaped through more cinematic arrangements, alternate lyrics, and distinct song titles.

Where “Celestial Exile” balances multiple facets of the Aythis sound, “Lost Lighthouse” appears to return more decisively to a neoclassical and darkwave-oriented approach. The album may evoke associations with artists such as Dead Can Dance or Dark Sanctuary, particularly in its solemn, reverent atmosphere. Carline Van Roos’s voice is placed at the center, supported by piano, synthesizers, and understated percussion that together create a stately, almost sacred soundscape—one that suggests awe toward forces of nature beyond human reach.

Dream pop and shoegaze elements are largely absent here. However, traces of “Celestial Exile” remain embedded in the melodic framework, making close comparison between the two albums a rewarding exercise. Track #7, “Across the Skies,” offers a particularly clear example of how shared melodic ideas are recontextualized between the twin releases. For listeners inclined toward deep exploration, tracing these connections adds another layer of meaning to the Aythis universe.

Aythis – “Celestial Exile” Review