D.A.P. (Dark Aries Project) is an experimental solo metal project enriched with horror elements. It emerged in 2017 but gained visibility mainly from 2020 onwards. Created by Ilinx, former guitarist of Nænia and Varganath, and session musician for Walls Of Ashes, the project has released several EPs and albums—only two of which have achieved modest success so far.
The project was born from the idea of doing everything alone, after its sole member realized he was too genre-fluid and lacked the patience to collaborate with other creative minds.
Five EPs/albums have gained the most traction, all linked together by a twisted and unique storyline: The Walk Of The Archons, Project 66, Ilinx Dream, Echoes Of Oppression, and Novus Ordo Ilinx!
These five works are connected through esoteric and sci-fi themes, blending science and spirituality into a single narrative thread. The new single “Sophya” opens the door to a future album, in which Ilinx is imprisoned in the Backrooms as punishment for rebelling against Sophya’s tyrannical system. There, he encounters Meg (Mandatory Existence Guidelines), who initially serves as his personal guard. However, Ilinx manages to convert her and escape the Backrooms.
Sophya is portrayed as a dark, grim planet ruled by a hypothetical Archon. The track itself is a fusion of post-rock, horror, and post-metal.