Shape of Despair - Shades of... (2000)

One of my better finds while over in Finland recently was the debut from Shape of Despair, which I've had downloaded for years, but just could never hunt down anywhere around where I live.

Originally formed in '95 as Raven, this Helsinki, Finland based band released three demos before changing to Shape of Despair in '98 and eventually recording their debut, 'Shades of...' in '00. Consisting of 4 re-recorded songs from the, 'Alone in the Mist' demo plus one new song, 'Shades of...' is a monumental release and one I'm quite glad to finally own.

Shape of Despair plays a sort of highly atmospheric funeral doom metal, which features lots backing symphonic keyboard orchestrations as well as a flute, which adds a completely unique and different twist to the genre's sound. The music itself is as expected tremendously plodding music with both growled and spoken male vocals as well as backing female vocals, which don't sound corny in any way at all, in fact they only enhance the ethereal nature of the music even further. The album carries a strange vibe to it, almost dreamlike in its delivery, and it creates this mental movie in my brain of a gal leading me through the mist, slowly, to some daintily lighted village shrouded in mystery where she both caress' and possess' me with depraved deeds.

Of course this is funeral doom, therefore the music is also quite depressive in its delivery, but its not really a break down and cry sort of effect, but just one that sort of ruins a good mood (if you happened to be having one). I also find that this album works best during the autumn or winter when its colder outside, personally the first time I heard the album was about nine years ago while driving during a heavy snowstorm and it worked perfectly amongst the snowy landscapes.

Shape of Despair would go on to record, 'Angels of Distress' in '01 and 'Illusion's Play' in '04, both great records too, but things have been slow ever since with just a compilation of demos, an EP and a split being released since, though the bands recent live activity may indicate that a new album is on the way.

If you are new however to Shape of Despair or funeral doom metal definitely start with, 'Shades of...,' because not only is it a classic in my opinion, but also a completely one of a kind album, which breathes atmosphere, mystery and sorrow like few other albums can.