By no means is the world of death-doom metal in any sort of dire straits, and I wouldn’t have it any other way given what immense diversity of bands from all across the globe that we have the immense privilege of being able to choose from at any given time. The very state of the style as a whole has never been better in my opinion with every vein and virtually every possibility having an audience to lap up whatever may be spawned throughout the underground be it from legends that continue to impress us or new names that come out of the woodwork to really show us what’s still able to be conjured forth. With just their second creation, Shrouded in Darkness makes a strong contender for one of the more interesting small acts that I’ve heard of in recent months even as the style continuously becomes more and more competitive.
While I am always a fan of bands trying out new things and attempting to explore new territory for any given reason, there is nothing wrong whatsoever with sticking to what we know works best. After all, if it’s not broken then why try to fix it? That’s a motto that many throughout the realm of death-doom seem to completely agree with given the ideals of the style have remained virtually unchanged since its inception with many new names coming around to try their hands at bringing glory to the sound with few able to really achieve such. Despite this being their second offering, Shrouded in Darkness does a superb job at exceeding where many others fumbled. This is a creation that really channels the dramatic nature of the themes and atmosphere that the style has become all but known for as each of the seven tracks of “Be None of You” have something in the way of dreary layers that permeate damn near every aspect of the sound while never once limiting Shrouded in Darkness into a singular, one-dimensional sound that becomes flat after the first few minutes. Rather, “Be None of You” retains a dynamic core that manages to keep the listener wondering what’s to come next as they wander through the mist-laden land that Shrouded in Darkness holds complete dominion over as the ritualistic nature of the album takes a firm hold of you while the riffs, the heaviness, the flavors, and the darkness come together for a performance of unmistakable expertise when it comes to death-doom. Such is a creation that many hope to create, but few are able to deliver anything close to what Shrouded in Darkness has brought forth.
For as far as the eye can see, I think it is more than safe to say that the very future of death-doom metal is in more than capable hands for if we’re to keep getting bands like Shrouded in Darkness, then what is there not to look forward to? Everything that has been poured into “Be None of You” is precisely the kind of dark glory that the style has become all but known for with the die-hard fans of it sure to fall into this creation should they simply become enlightened to its existence.
LISTEN to “Be None of You” on Bandcamp here.
LIKE Shrouded in Darkness on Facebook here.
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