Darkwave/dark alternative rock icon Veljanov has signed a multi‑record agreement with Prophecy Productions, marking a significant new chapter in his solo career. His next opus Shanderilan is due out in early 2027.
Veljanov comments: "Dear friends, I am delighted to have found a new home for my solo project Veljanov. After a long break, my fourth individual album project will finally be released on Prophecy Productions".
Prophecy Productions' founder Martin Koller adds: "We are all thrilled to welcome Veljanov. It does not happen every day that a living legend and iconic musician joins our roster. Then again, we have already worked for the famous duo Deine Lakaien, consisting of Veljanov and pianist Ernst Horn, outside the German-speaking countries. Well, I gladly admit to having been a long-time fan of both the duo and the solo project, from the start. Welcome!"
Few artists achieve legendary status early in life while continuing to release new material on a regular basis, and Alexander Veljanov — aka Veljanov — is widely regarded as one of them. The German vocalist, whose roots trace back to present‑day North Macedonia, rose to prominence with Deine Lakaien, the duo he co‑founded with composer and classically trained theatre pianist Ernst Horn in 1985. Their unique blend of avant‑garde, electronic music, darkwave and other stylistic elements quickly earned iconic status within the dark music scene, particularly in German‑speaking regions.
Veljanov's magical baritone voice — deep, resonant, warm, velvety, and often described as possessing a distinct Slavonic timbre — has long been celebrated. After contributing his unmistakable vocals to several projects, he embarked on a solo path, releasing Secrets Of The Silver Tongue (1998), The Sweet Life (2001), and The Porta Macedonia (2008). His solo career then entered a long hiatus, even as he continued to perform and record with Deine Lakaien, most recently on Dual (2021).
To the delight of his loyal following, Veljanov has now announced his return to the spotlight with both a new album, Shanderilan, and a tour in 2026 (dates below). Link


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