“Dröm Sång” emerges as a poignant ballad from Këkht Aräkh, blending melancholic melodies with an introspective narrative. Rooted in a draft originally conceived during the Pale Swordsman sessions in 2021, the song carries a familiar resonance, particularly reminiscent of the track “Swordsman” from the same album. However, its creation followed an unconventional path, with recording taking place under spontaneous, often cramped conditions across Berlin, Germany, and Tokyo, Japan.
The accompanying music video was shot entirely in Tokyo and features scenes filmed by Nick from the electronic duo IC3PEAK and additional footage self-recorded by Dmitry, all using a handheld camcorder to create a raw, personal aesthetic.
Dmitry explains:
“There’s a deeper reason behind choosing Tokyo as the location for the music video, beyond my admiration for Japan. This particular place is often idealized by people around the world who have never lived there, making it a perfect fit for the song’s escapist theme. The song reflects on life, with all its hardships and evils, as nothing more than a dream from which you’ll eventually wake into a peaceful world.”
Directed & filmed by Crying Orc and Nick Kostylev (IC3PEAK)
Edited by Crying Orc
Hence the title, “Dröm Sång,” and the refrain “Livet var ingenting mer än en dröm”—which translates to “life was but a dream”. This thematic depth is complemented by the choice to include Swedish lyrics, a nod to Scandinavia’s black metal roots and Dmitry’s admiration for the Swedish language. Despite its softer tone, “Dröm Sång” does not signal a departure from Këkht Aräkh’s black metal focus. The track remains a testament to the project’s versatility, while staying true to its core ethos.
The song was mixed and mastered by James Ginzburg in his Berlin studio in Schöneberg.