Ashtoreth and Onasander combine music forces to bring an album of ritualistic dark ambient to our Winter-Light label.

Devotio was a sacrifice, promise or gift to a deity in return for a request, in which the Roman commander promised to devote his life to chthonic gods in battle with the enemy in return for the victory of their own troops.

The most famous devotio in Roman history is probably that of the consul Publius Decius Mus, who was fighting a battle against a coalition of Samnites and Gauls at Sentinum in 295 BCE. According to the Roman historian Livy, he dedicated himself to the gods of the Underworld and rode, on horseback, to his enemies, who killed him.

All music by Maurizio Landini (Onasander) and Peter Verwimp (Ashtoreth)

Mastered by Ronald Mariën (Stratosphere)

Photographs by Ben Matthews

Cover design and layout by Abby Helasdottir

Released by 21 December 2022