EP Review: Ars Onirica – 2.5 Nighttime (Ardua Music)

Italian melodic doom/death metal project Ars Onirica returns with the haunting new EP 2.5 Nighttime, released on 24 October 2025 via Ardua Music.

Starting life as a full band in the early 2000s, Ars Onirica was reborn in 2018 as the solo project of Alessandro Sforza, delivering two acclaimed melodic doom/death albums: I: Cold and II: Lost. Now, the journey continues with 2.5 Nighttime — a beautifully crafted interlude that stands as a rich, immersive experience in its own right. Recorded at Blue Ocean Recording Studio with long-time collaborator Lorenzo Carlini (Black Therapy, Invernoir), and featuring evocative artwork by Disturbing Grace Design, this EP captures the essence of Ars Onirica’s signature blend of melancholy and magic.

As the sky shifts through its kaleidoscope of colours, gradually slipping into darker hues and the stars emerge from hiding, a dusting of distant diamonds across the velvet canopy, I sink down into the welcoming arms of sleep. I cross the bridge of dreams beneath the watching eyes of the moon and a journey, forgotten in daylight hours, begins anew…

Ars Onirica is Alessandro Sforza with all music and vocals.

2.5 Nighttime comes with 5 new tracks on it though is really built around a triple header (Nighttime Part I, II and III) sandwiched between an intro and an outro. The opening track, Dusk (An Ode To The Stars) is a gentle atmospheric number that entwines softened vocals with clean melody. It leads you calmly into the world of Ars Onirica by the hand as you enter a dreamy, soothed state. One foot in front of the other, as you head into Nighttime starting of course with Nighttime Part I.

The ethereal feeling carries into this track, but the music gains weight with the addition of drums and riffs, which give more power to the gentle vocals and atmospheric layers. I really enjoy Alessandro Sforza’s voice—he’s incredibly listenable. It’s an easy track to sink into. His vocals alone feel hypnotic, and the backing vocals highlight key moments beautifully. The slow drums add depth and enhance the track, which rests on a rich foundation of atmospheric textures and melodic guitar work. All the elements come together to form a cohesive, immersive sound. A well-placed guitar solo delivers a mesmerizing, winding melody that I absolutely love. Though short by doom standards at just over five minutes, the song flies by—I stayed fully engaged from start to finish.

Nighttime Part II (Your Silence Around Me) follows and reveals a whole new side of Ars Onirica. While the atmosphere remains consistent, the track opens with powerful harsh vocals that shift from deep gutturals to higher-pitched roars—another skill Alessandro Sforza clearly commands. This darker vocal approach sits atop a melancholic melody before transitioning into a softer, more delicate chorus. The contrast between dark and light elements works beautifully. I’m impressed by the variation throughout, especially how the band maintains a consistent sound and atmosphere despite the distinct character of each track. I also appreciate the careful attention to balance—every detail feels intentional. A subtle bass line, a change in the drum pattern, a sudden roar, or a melodic twist—each moment adds depth and keeps me fully engaged.

This song, like the whole of 2.5 Nighttime is clearly a labour of love.

Nighttime Part III is of the same vein as Part II, offering that contrast between the dark and the light again. With more of a black metal screamed harsh vocal verse, it’s darker and nastier but even in the harsh vocals, there is a mix of tone and range displayed. The dark seems to be taking over when light fights back with a chorus that sees the drums change to a tapping style, the vocals change to clean and the atmosphere and guitar melody give you comfort. It’s a truly remarkably well written song with a stunning solo as well. It’s very smooth and heavy with atmosphere so that when you are in the midst of the contrast, whether dark, or light, everything builds off of the same foundation. That really keeps you firmly in the world and adds even more impact as the scenes shift. Stunning work.

2.5 Nighttime closes out with Dawn. A small thing but also I love how we went from Dusk, fully into Night and then back to Dawn in terms of the track listing. This is our moment to relax and unwind, waking up to the rays of the sun as the Night fades from memory for today. A purely instrumental closer that continues to deliver atmosphere but is led by guitar melody with a sound that is light and clear. It’s very beautiful and gives a sense of completeness to 2.5 Nighttime.

Well, I didn’t know what to expect from Ars Onirica going in to 2.5 Nighttime but have been left absolutely in awe. This is a remarkable release, produced immaculately, full of such feeling and emotion, it is more something you experience, than listen to. Clearly Ars Onirica pack a lot of talent, in vocals and musicianship, but where I really fell in love with this EP was in the writing, the flow of songs, the attention to detail and the consistency. It is 5 tracks, but really, it is just one singular experience and it is an experience that deserves to be felt, deserves to be heard. This is a stunning EP.

Preorder your copy of 2.5 Nighttime from Ardua Music, here.

Track Listing:

1 – Dusk (An Ode To The Stars)
2 – Nighttime Part I
3 – Nighttime Part II (Your Silence Around Me)
4 – Nighttime Part III
5 – Dawn

Ars Onirica Links

Facebook | YouTube | Bandcamp | Ardua Music