While the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is largely celebrated as a breathtaking natural wonder, it also has a more eerie, unexplained, and sinister side that has perplexed and unsettled observers for centuries. The strange, flickering lights have long been steeped in mystique, inspiring tales of supernatural forces, spirits, and even foreboding omens. In the quiet of the Arctic night, where the lights can seem to pulse with an almost otherworldly energy, it’s easy to understand why ancient peoples feared these glowing veils in the sky. But even in modern times, some aspects of the aurora remain unexplained, lending it an unsettling edge. One of the most eerie characteristics of the Aurora Borealis is the occasional sounds that accompany it. While the Northern Lights are a visual phenomenon, there have been numerous reports, particularly from indigenous Arctic communities and polar explorers, of mysterious noises—like faint crackling, hissing, or even whispers—heard during intense auroral displays.

For centuries, these sounds were dismissed as folklore or the product of imagination, given that the aurora occurs at altitudes far above where sound could reasonably be produced or heard. However, in recent years, scientists have begun to investigate this acoustic anomaly. Some researchers suggest that certain atmospheric conditions might allow for faint electrical discharges at lower altitudes, producing these sounds in sync with the lights. Despite these theories, no definitive explanation has been found, leaving this eerie auditory element of the Northern Lights shrouded in mystery.

After a three-year absence "Borealis" marks the return of the Drone Islands series by Eighth Tower Records. It is the fourth volume, following the previous releases "Stellar" (2021), "The Lost Maps" (2020), and "Land Rising" (2019).