The River of Life Flows Into Its Fourth Chapter: Death
Black Reuss is the river of life translated into sound—a musical reflection of transformation, darkness, resilience, and the constant motion of existence. Inspired by the Swiss river Reuss, which flows from the Gotthard Massif and symbolizes life’s inevitable, downhill movement, Black Reuss captures the somber and melancholic essence of change and renewal through music.
The project is the artistic vessel of Maurizio Dottore, a one-man creator who writes, produces, and records nearly every element himself. His music is deeply personal, yet undeniably universal—resonating with anyone who has felt the weight of life’s struggles, the pull of transformation, or the search for meaning in the shadows. Black Reuss is both an intimate confession and a message for all who listen.
The First Three Chapters: Metamorphosis, Journey, Arrival
The debut album Metamorphosis (2021) marked the beginning of this musical river, exploring the turbulent process of inner transformation and the breaking of old forms.
With Journey (2022), the river pushed forward, carrying listeners through the difficult but necessary path toward self-understanding, filled with challenges, introspection, and revelation.
Arrival (2023) represented a moment of clarity—a point in life where one gains stability, acceptance, and the wisdom to face problems with a calmer heart. Featuring powerful contributions from artists like Anna Murphy and Diego Rapacchietti, the album expanded the emotional and sonic landscape of the project.
Together, these first three albums formed a cohesive trilogy about change, growth, and the discovery of inner strength.
2026: The Fourth Chapter Emerges — Death
Now, Black Reuss unveils Death, the fourth chapter in the ongoing river narrative.
Death is not an ending, but a passage—a descent into the space where identity dissolves, truth becomes quiet, and the self enters a state of profound surrender. It is the moment where the river disappears beneath the surface, not to cease, but to flow into deeper, unseen realms.
The album plunges into themes of dissolution (Oblivion), judgment (Endgame), rebirth (Phoenix), and the fragile spark of hope that survives the darkness (Elysium). The music is heavier, deeper, and more atmospheric, continuing Black Reuss’ signature blend of melodic gothic metal with introspection and emotional weight.
As always, Maurizio Dottore composed, wrote, performed, and produced the entire album. He is joined by Diego Rapacchietti, drummer of the legendary Swiss thrash band Coroner, whose powerful performance drives the album’s intensity.
The sonic identity of Death was sculpted by Roberto Macis (mixing, Solid Twin Studio) and Giovanni Versari (mastering, La Maestà Mastering Studio), with vocals recorded by Roberto De Luca and drums captured by Tommy Vetterli.
A One-Man Project With a Universal Message
Black Reuss remains the embodiment of a single creative soul—but the message resonates far beyond the individual. Through heavy, melancholic, and deeply emotional compositions, the music speaks to the universal human experience: the burden of existence, the force of change, the pain of loss, and the quiet strength found in acceptance.
Death completes the first great cycle of the Black Reuss journey. And as one chapter sinks into the depths, another begins to move beneath the surface.
The Future of Black Reuss
Looking ahead, Maurizio Dottore carries a clear intention: to bring the river to the stage, to let its currents flow through rooms filled with people who feel the same pulse beneath their skin. “I want to play live, tour, and reach more people who connect with my sound,” he says—a simple statement with a vast horizon. Death, the fourth album, marks the next step on this expanding journey, arriving in 2026 as both a conclusion and a beginning.
With three chapters already etched into the landscape and Death opening a new descent into the deeper waters, Black Reuss stands poised for the next evolution. The foundation has been built—stone by stone, song by song—and now the river widens. New experiences, new stages, and new listeners await.
The future of Black Reuss is one of continuous flow, discovery, and transformation. As long as life moves, reshapes, and darkens only to reveal new light, the music will follow.
The river will keep running.
And Black Reuss will continue its course—
into broader worlds, deeper emotions, and uncharted currents yet unseen.
A cycle closes, its waters sinking into the unseen.
Yet the river continues through hidden currents,
and Black Reuss follows its flow into new, uncharted darkness.
