Dark folk/progressive entity Rakinua are set to unveil their debut album “Esi Um Ninu – Heal Us, Mother” on May 29th, 2026 via Dusktone Label, marking the first chapter of an ambitious artistic vision rooted in myth, ritual and sonic exploration.
The video of the project’s first single, “Shepherd of the Clouds”, is now available via the YouTube player below:
Emerging from a fertile intersection of sound and storytelling, Rakinua stand as the convergence of two distinct creative forces: one driven by an insatiable urge toward musical expression, the other endowed with a rare gift for narrative architecture. Together, they have shaped a work that aspires not merely to be heard, but to be inhabited: a threshold into another world, where time dissolves and meaning is carved in ancient symbols.
Inspired by Alpine sacrificial sites that have borne witness to nearly three millennia of ritual practice, “Esi Um Ninu – Heal Us, Mother” unfolds as a concept album of rare depth and cohesion. Its narrative follows a priestess whose desperate attempts to appease increasingly wrathful gods ultimately condemn her tribe to ruin. This tragedy is revealed through the voice of an oracle, a liminal presence bridging past, present, and future: an eternal witness to a fate that cannot be undone.
Musically, Rakinua traverse a wide and evocative spectrum. Their sound resonates with the ritualistic pulse of Heilung and Wardruna, the dark introspection of Myrkur, and the Progressive depth of Opeth, Porcupine Tree, and Anathema. Yet these references serve only as distant constellations; “Esi Um Ninu – Heal Us, Mother” charts its own path, guided by an archaic, almost primordial spirit.
The album was produced by Fabio D’Amore (Serenity, Perchta) at Synonym Of Sound, with concept and lyrics crafted by Velis and Madame Noctinebra. Their work draws upon archaeological insight, a refined aesthetic sensibility, and the evocative power of a forgotten tongue intertwined with Raetic symbols. The result is a body of songs that feels both meticulously constructed and organically unearthed.
Rakinua’s vision extends beyond the recorded form. Their ceremonial live manifestations – ranging from the electrifying Full Electric Tribe Ritual to the intimate Acoustic Tribe Ritual — translate the album’s essence into immersive, communal experiences. Each performance becomes an act of remembrance, a rekindling of something older than language itself.
With “Esi Um Ninu – Heal Us, Mother,” Rakinua do not simply present a debut; they open a passage. It is an invitation to step into a narrative suspended between epochs, where the echo of forgotten rites still lingers—and where the future, though foreseen, may yet be resisted.
Pre-Order “VV” on Bandcamp: https://dusktone.bandcamp.com/album/esi-um-ninu-heal-us-mother
Tracklist:
01. The Prophecy
02. Sacrilege
03. First Vision of the Oracle
04. Goddess of the Night
05. Second Vision of the Oracle
06. Warrior of Light
07. Third Vision of the Oracle
08. Shepherd of the Clouds
09. Fourth Vision of the Oracle
10. Spirits of Waters
11. Fifth Vision of the Oracle
12. Terra
13. Hear Me
14. Last Vision of the Oracle
15. The Old Paths – Sangue
16. Peaceful Night
Lineup:
Velis: lead vocals, percussions
Madame Noctinebra: narrations, percussions, vocals
Drums performed by Niklas Müller (Ad Infinitum), with courtesy of Napalm Records.
The Live Tribe is:
Fabio D’Amore / Electric Bass, Fretless, Vocals
Sybell – Cristina Spadotto (Uttern) / Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Harsh and Clean Vocals
Anna Eggersberger / Harps, Vocals
Alessandro Pedretti (Adamantis Guitar Orchestra) / Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Gabriele Boz (Sinheresy) / Drums & Percussions