On July 18, 2025, Aphelion Psalm, the brainchild of C. Pilgrim (Carlos Martín Cuevas), unleashed its first single, ‘Portal to Cassiopeia‘. Coming from Nerja, Spain, this space ambient project kicks off with a bold introduction to the genre, showcasing C. Pilgrim’s knack for crafting immersive soundscapes. As a debut, this 17-minute track doubles as a demo EP, marking Aphelion Psalm as a name to watch in the ambient music world.
The single blends dark ambient with a cosmic edge, pulling from heavyweights like Neptune Towers, Lustmord, Arecibo, and Blood Incantation’s Timewave Zero EP. It’s got a clear nod to the Berlin School vibe of 1970s electronic music too, tipping its hat to legends Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze. Left as one unbroken piece to keep its flow intact, ‘Portal to Cassiopeia’ still breaks down narratively into four parts: ‘Opening of the Portal’, ‘Ten-thousand-year Cryosleep‘, ‘Antimatter Void Abyss‘, and ‘At the Gates of Alpha Cassiopeia‘. It’s a sonic trip through space that doesn’t mess around. This Single would be able to soundtrack many an IP, think Metropolis (2001) or modern games like Death stranding (2019) as it’s definitely a mood setter and takes you on a sonic journey that’s a treat to listen to through some high quality headphones.
This release came together independently, recorded without any pro polish, which only adds to its raw charm. C. Pilgrim had this to say: “That’s what music is about.” The goal here isn’t over-the-top artistry, it’s about giving listeners a solid 17-minute escape into the cosmos, and Aphelion Psalm nails it with this debut.
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