Silence & Strength

In 2004, driven by a fascination with the occult, Israeli musician Stephan Friedman embarked on a quest to channel mysticism's essence through music. Mixing dark folk, ambient, industrial and electronica within conceptual albums, he aimed to transport listeners to realms beyond the ordinary, birthing Silence & Strength—the name inspired by Liber AL vel Legis. The first single, Secret Name, featured on a compilation celebrating The Book of the Law's 100th anniversary. In 2005, the debut full-length, Le Divin Cagliostro, paid homage to the enigmatic 18th-century occultist. Opus Paracelsum (2006), dedicated to Renaissance physician and alchemist, won acclaim for its mystic atmosphere and intricate sound palette. A collaboration with Japanese cyberpunk author Kenji Siratori resulted in the Urban Anatomy EP (2006). In 2009, Das Haus zur letzten Latern - A Tribute to Gustav Meyrink captivated fans and critics, delving into the works of the Austrian master of magic realism. Praised for its claustrophobic industrial landscape, it offered a cinematic auditory experience. After a six-year hiatus, Silence & Strength returned in 2015 with Saturn Return, a 54-minute masterpiece dedicated to the Brotherhood of Saturn. Filled with ambient soundscapes, IDM, and dark-wave gems, it embodied Saturn Gnosis and Saturnian Path. In the 2020s, Friedman continues his occult-inspired journey, releasing more ambient and synth experiment albums.