 |
I just purchased "Illusion's Play",
which is the third official release from Finlands' highly acclaimed
doom metal masters, Shape
of Despair. This album features similar elements to "Angels
of Distress" with longer exerts, more melancholia, and a better
layout. I also noticed the addition of new bassist, Sami Uusitalo.
That said, Shape of Despair is now a six-piece. The album is just
over an hour long with 6 new magnificent tracks averaging about 10
minutes apiece. Every track on Illusions Play just lays the depression
on you like a huge boulder squashing an ant. The atmosphere is so
thick and mesmerizing, I couldn't lure myself to think. Most of everything
else is slow, funeral-esque style doom/death similar to that of Thergothon
and Skepticism. While the atmosphere and the medleys trade off one
another, I found much of the album hard to follow unless I were to
just sit in one place for an hour and stare into space. Which in fact
what I'll probably do is, put my cd player on continual play over
night so I'll have a good soundtrack for my slumber. This certainly
isn't a bad thing, but this style is definitely one that you'll have
to be in the mood for (as was their last offering). Regardless, this
is an absolutely stellar musical offering for those into doom and/or
extremely atmospheric music. Recommended highly! Rating: 89 Reviewed By: Thomas Mitchell |
