Shroud Of Despondency - Tied To A Dying Animal
It’s been a long time since I’ve heard anything from Wisonsin’s Shroud Of Despondency, so when I received this disc I was curious about and anticipating what I was going to hear. They are an interesting band, for being labelled black metal. While that may be true on older works, there is just so much more to this release and labelling it black metal just does not do it justice. Consider the fact that this is a 2 cd release with disc 1 being the really heavy stuff and disc to being more mellow and acoustic based. Something to the effect of how Opeth’s "Deliverance" and "Damnation" were originally supposed to be released. You’re definitely in for a surprise when you listen to this album and I can say that it will most definitely be a pleasant one.
Disc 1: For Innocence, Beauty, And Those Who Defile
Disc one, being the heavier disc starts off in a most awesome fashion with riffs reminiscent of Satyricon’s "Nemesis Divina" album. Rhythm wise, there is also a vibe that I would say is somewhere between Emperor’s "Wrath Of The Tyrant" and "In The Nightside Eclipse" with more of a slower death metal type approach to the delivery. The riffs continue from there and have a really nice, older Darkthrone "Soulside Journey" feel to them. Some of you may not hear it right off the bat but if you listen close it is unmistakable.I know I mentioned Opeth earlier and will mention them again here as, during the midst of all this musical diversity, There is also a strong Opeth "My Arms, Your Hearse" thing happening here. These guys really throw everything into the melting pot. To me it seems to go back and forth. Black metal riffing with a death metal approach and death metal riffing with a black metal approach. The band is quite interchangeable here and it really works awesomely with the given material. The solos are played with a pristine preciseness that seems to stand out from, yet blends very well with, all the other aspects of the music. The drumming isn’t your typical black metal style drumming. Just as diverse as the guitar work, the drums vary in temp from slow to mid-paced in some parts to just absolute total annihilation in other parts. There are certain parts of these tracks and almost sound almost doom inspired. The drummer on this album is one of the best I have heard in this particular genre. Relentless and unwavering on every track. The vocal patterns here vary from the typical mid-range black metal style vocal all the way to low growling death metal type vocals. I just cannot get over the versatility on this first disc. They did an excellent job. Aside from the already mentioned influence, add to those: Marduk, Immortal, Morbid Angel, and Death. Now you have an understanding of why labelling this release a black metal release does not do it justice.
Disc 2: For Those Who Leave And Find Better Devils
The acoustic disc of this album is just as amazing as the heavier disc. Beginning with the fact that there is definitely a folkish influence right from the beginning. The opening track reminded me a lot of Anathema. Can’t really put my finger on it but that’s the band I immediately thought of upon the start of this disc. Also reminiscent of Ulver’s "Kveldssanger" as well as the October Falls "Marras" album, this 2nd disc is almost an ethereal concoction of sonic bliss. On top of all this, let’s throw a bit of Borknagar’s "Origin" release in there too. The keyboard playing here was just the right amount and played at the right level, nothing overwhelming or over-saturated. The added element of a violin in some parts was a nice addition that complimented the core elements very nicely. Not that the first disc didn’t have a lot of thought going into it, but this acoustic disc is just unbelievable. Absolutely phenomenal in both construction and delivery. As much as I loved the 1st disc, I think I love this second disc even more. There is just as much emotion in this disc as the other but coming from a different end of the spectrum. When you want to play or hear this type of music, it doesn’t get much better than this. Combining both disc as 1 album was absolutely genius. These guys have a definite classic on their hands and they prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are just as good, if not better, than anyone else playing this type of music. If you like the above mentioned bands, I am not going to tell you that you need to get this, I am going to say that you must get this. An awesome listen from the 1st track of the 1st disc to the last track of the 2nd disc. These guys knocked it out of the park with this album!
Disc 1: For Innocence, Beauty, And Those Who Defile
Disc one, being the heavier disc starts off in a most awesome fashion with riffs reminiscent of Satyricon’s "Nemesis Divina" album. Rhythm wise, there is also a vibe that I would say is somewhere between Emperor’s "Wrath Of The Tyrant" and "In The Nightside Eclipse" with more of a slower death metal type approach to the delivery. The riffs continue from there and have a really nice, older Darkthrone "Soulside Journey" feel to them. Some of you may not hear it right off the bat but if you listen close it is unmistakable.I know I mentioned Opeth earlier and will mention them again here as, during the midst of all this musical diversity, There is also a strong Opeth "My Arms, Your Hearse" thing happening here. These guys really throw everything into the melting pot. To me it seems to go back and forth. Black metal riffing with a death metal approach and death metal riffing with a black metal approach. The band is quite interchangeable here and it really works awesomely with the given material. The solos are played with a pristine preciseness that seems to stand out from, yet blends very well with, all the other aspects of the music. The drumming isn’t your typical black metal style drumming. Just as diverse as the guitar work, the drums vary in temp from slow to mid-paced in some parts to just absolute total annihilation in other parts. There are certain parts of these tracks and almost sound almost doom inspired. The drummer on this album is one of the best I have heard in this particular genre. Relentless and unwavering on every track. The vocal patterns here vary from the typical mid-range black metal style vocal all the way to low growling death metal type vocals. I just cannot get over the versatility on this first disc. They did an excellent job. Aside from the already mentioned influence, add to those: Marduk, Immortal, Morbid Angel, and Death. Now you have an understanding of why labelling this release a black metal release does not do it justice.
Disc 2: For Those Who Leave And Find Better Devils
The acoustic disc of this album is just as amazing as the heavier disc. Beginning with the fact that there is definitely a folkish influence right from the beginning. The opening track reminded me a lot of Anathema. Can’t really put my finger on it but that’s the band I immediately thought of upon the start of this disc. Also reminiscent of Ulver’s "Kveldssanger" as well as the October Falls "Marras" album, this 2nd disc is almost an ethereal concoction of sonic bliss. On top of all this, let’s throw a bit of Borknagar’s "Origin" release in there too. The keyboard playing here was just the right amount and played at the right level, nothing overwhelming or over-saturated. The added element of a violin in some parts was a nice addition that complimented the core elements very nicely. Not that the first disc didn’t have a lot of thought going into it, but this acoustic disc is just unbelievable. Absolutely phenomenal in both construction and delivery. As much as I loved the 1st disc, I think I love this second disc even more. There is just as much emotion in this disc as the other but coming from a different end of the spectrum. When you want to play or hear this type of music, it doesn’t get much better than this. Combining both disc as 1 album was absolutely genius. These guys have a definite classic on their hands and they prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are just as good, if not better, than anyone else playing this type of music. If you like the above mentioned bands, I am not going to tell you that you need to get this, I am going to say that you must get this. An awesome listen from the 1st track of the 1st disc to the last track of the 2nd disc. These guys knocked it out of the park with this album!
- A Man Can Dream
- Clenched Jaw
- The Life Of Fire
- Winter And Warmth
- Long Hours
- What You Remember
- A Tribute To Barren Land
- Over(Coming, Taking, Breeding)
- Untamed Energy
- The Sunset Through Sulfur
- The Whore And The Politician
- Pollen
- Contradiction
- Prominent Cross
- Towards The Source Of Wind
- Coat Of Arms
- Family
- Skim (Bonus)
- Stem (Bonus)
- Towards The Source of Wind Percussion (Bonus)
- The Unrewarding (Bonus)
