A new voice has emerged from Ireland’s progressive underground with Afterborn unveiling their debut single, ‘Lost In The Shadows’.
Afterborn were formed in 2024 by former Nebularis collaborators Hytham Martin (guitar, vocals, synthesiser) and Damian Dziennik (drums, percussion, synthesiser), out of a shared desire to create music without boundaries.
Drawing from progressive metal, world music and operatic influences, the project seeks to explore themes of fear, memory, conflict and human fragility through expansive soundscapes and emotionally charged songwriting.
Having previously worked together through not only Nebularis but also the Aiséirí All Ireland Metal Project, Martin and Dziennik spent years developing a creative chemistry rooted in ambition and experimentation. What began as an idea between two musicians soon evolved into something far greater.
With the addition of session bassist Eddie Mann, Afterborn continued their search for artists who shared the same creative vision. That search led to the arrival of Adrianna ‘Adka’ Kania (vocals, hurdy-gurdy, synthesiser) and Raphael Costa (vocals, guitar, synthesiser), completing a line-up whose collective influences and musical backgrounds should bring depth, atmosphere and intensity to the project’s sound.
The debut single, ‘Lost In The Shadows’, is a dark and emotionally resonant introduction to their creative world. Balancing crushing progressive arrangements with haunting melodies and cinematic textures, the track reflects on division, betrayal and the emotional scars left behind when trust collapses.
Lyrically, the song paints a vivid picture of a world consumed by fear and disconnection. Themes of memory, hatred and emotional isolation run throughout the track, while its soaring choruses and dramatic shifts in dynamics create a sense of tension and catharsis that lingers long after the final note fades.
Speaking about the single, the band explained: “‘Lost In The Shadows’ reflects the emotional weight people carry when relationships, trust and even society itself begin to fracture. We wanted the song to feel personal but also universal. It’s about fear, conflict and the struggle to hold onto humanity when everything around you feels uncertain.”
‘Lost In The Shadows’ is available across all major streaming platforms. You can find more from Afterborn at RAMzine.
