Everyone needs to take things slowly once in a while, even the speediest of musicians. Gathered among this sextet we have past and present members of bands such as Finntroll, Impaled Nazarene and Barathrum among many others, all bands not exactly recognised for chilling out in the slightest. Of course, we are in Finland and with half the year shrouded in agonizingly lengthy darkness, strange things happen in the minds of those dwelling there and with the freezing cold also prevalent they have very little choice in going into hibernation mode. It’s exactly why many musicians turn to funeral doom and excel so well at it, making it akin to a religious experience in these frozen climes. Perhaps that’s just the romantic notion of it we have living in places where night turns to day with frustrating regularity but there’s nothing nicer than really relaxing to a long funeral doom album in the warmth with a good book and glass of wine at your side.
Shape Of Despair are delivering their 5th such full length here after a relatively quiet 7-year span since last album ‘Monotony Fields’ in 2017. Showing perhaps a bit of restraint this time around they have tightened the leash with just six, albeit lengthy songs and a running time clocking in just under the hour mark. We ‘Return To The Void’ of the title track with wide vistas via slow drumming and mournful melodies unfolding before us. Like a slumbering bear awoken, the low growls of vocalist Henri Koivula eventually rise from their cave and you cannot help but shiver along with it all. But there is warmth, harmonious tones from Natalie Koskinen provide a dulcet counterpoint to this grizzly masculinity. Perhaps snow and hearts will thaw as this slow, ponderous journey continues? With Dissolution, Downfall and Desolation being at the forefront of these sorrowful sojourns one gets the feeling that these disparate vocalists are stranded away from each other rather than defrosting in front of a hearty fire together. They linger in solitude like long lost lovers desperate to find each other after lengthy time apart but this is where the beauty within lies and there is a feel of yearning and romance within the folds of the music.
It’s a long and limitless trudge through snow and ice. The melodies are sublime and have that Finnish steadfastness about them, the drumming is crushing as it beats time in a ponderous fashion throughout. There are sections you almost forget about the vocals until a sudden, sweeping choral part deliciously swoons in. It’s far from all distempered growls on songs such as the massive ‘Solitary Downfall’ and your mind wanders with the flow, equally hypnotised and enchanted. Occasionally there is a hefty form of slow deathly aggression added hinting at danger and hazards, the lyrics of ‘Reflection Of Slow Time’ suggesting these are of choosing to be alone and to “merge with these dark thoughts;” perhaps after a failed romance. One gets the feeling there will probably not be a happy ending here and that ‘The Inner Desolation’ of the very soul will have to be contemplated over the finality of the last epic number. But as a listener we are perhaps well versed to this inner-darkness unfolding and are content to wallow in it, which this album allows you to do perfectly.
With the bounteous arms of despair providing a gorgeous caress, this is an emotional release for both the listener and no doubt the band too as it is delivered with absolute sincerity amidst its suffering. Yes; these all could be familiar themes for the music itself but one leaves it knowing fully that they have been touched by something quite special
(8.5/10 Pete Woods)
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