Forest of Shadows
The Silent Cry (Demo) 1998 No Label
This is one of the first Demo's by Swedish band Forest of Shadows. Well "band"? Back then Forrest of Shadows was still a solo project by Niclas Frohagen. The music found here is slow, dark death/doom-metal. Bands like My Dying Bride, Anathema but also Katatonia come to mind. This without becoming too much of a clone or a copy of those bands. Two of the four tracks pass the 10 minute mark, following good old doom-metal tradition of slow and long songs. Very characteristic are the grunts. Apparently back when this demo got recorded Niclas Frohagen had problems with his neighbours about the noise he made when grunting. So he developed a low whispering grunt. It gives the music and extra dark edge. Quality wise this truely is a demo. Don't expect a good production or anything. Also there are no violins on this demo, as back then the violinist had not yet joined the band. For more information about this band or to get their demo check out their homepage at www.darkmetal.com/forestofshadows/.	1. The Silent Cry 2. Under the Dying Sun 3. Moment sin Solitude 4. A November Dream Approx. 38 minutes
Reviewed by Aldo Quispel
Under the Dying Sun (Mcd) 2000 No Label
Sometimes when you search through the vast mines of doom metal, you find a little gem hidden beneath the rubble and cobwebs. This is one of them. Forest of Shadows has never been the most original death/doom band around, but as was said in other reviews, they execute the genre to perfection. This self-released MCD contains only one song but it is a true doom epic. ’Under the Dying Sun’ is a fifteen minute-long work full of variety and true sorrow. Musically, you can expect death/doom with influences of My Dying Bride, Anathema, Katatonia and Empyrium. None of these bands are cloned of course, and Forest of Shadows blends it all into something new. Not too unique, but outstanding enough. The song features great grunts, mournful chants, violin and organ. These are simply fifteen captivating minutes for the lovers of the said genre. The good use of doom-riffs, rhythm changes (from very slow to mid-tempo), sad melodies, etc. make for a truly exciting song. Needless to say, it’s a shame we haven’t heard a bit more from Forest of Shadows. After ’Where Dreams Turn To Dust’ it has been silent around the band. I hope more will come in the future.	1. Under the Dying Sun Approx. 15 minutes
Reviewed by Oscar Strik
Where Dreams Turn to Dust (Demo) 2000 No Label
Forest of Shadows never ceases to amaze me and with this demo they have grown to new heights. The excellently performed melodic death/doom metal they serve us on this demo, clearly shows that they should have been signed to a label a long time ago. While this demo finally gained them a record deal with the small label Rage of Achilles Records (who will also release this Demo as a Mcd) it is still beyond me why this took so long and why it had to be such a small label. After a beautiful sorrow filled flute intro, heavier sounds roll in creating a truly melancholic atmosphere. Their solid and slow metal is complimented by the occasional use of a violin or acoustic brake. Filling almost 30 minutes with just 3 songs should also give you a clear indication about the length of these songs. Forest of Shadows is a school example of the melodic death/doom genre. Of course this means they won't win any originality prices, but they pull it off so skilfully that this really doesn't matter. Where most bands try to stick out by experimenting, Forest of Shadows stick out by keeping to the often-threaded paths. Obvious references would be Katatonia, My Dying Bride and in my opinion also Empyrium (especially the occasional clean vocals). You can download the entire album from http://www.mp3.com/fos/ so I don't see what could stop you from checking out this demo!	1. Eternal Autumn 2. Wish 3. Of Sorrow Blue Approx. 29 minutes Released as an Mcd in 2001 by Rage of Achilles
Reviewed by Aldo Quispel
Departure (CD) 2004 Firedoom
This CD sees the music moving completely away from the folk elements that were incorporated in mCD. So I guess you could say besides the music having grown even better in terms of song quality, the music hasn't changed all that much from the early releases. If anything the music has grown more majestic with its maturity. I see that reviewers before me claim the music isn't all that original and makes most of its fame based on the quality of the sound. I disagree. The emotion in the music is indeed similar to bands like Katatonia and Anathema, but the fact that the music crosses into both doom/death and doom/black does make it stand out as being original based on standing on the shoulder of more than one giant. Niclas also incorporates elements of his own, like dark blackish vocals that enter from time to time during the more intense moments of the music. The Empyrium style clean vocals still dominate though. What really makes me enjoy this CD isn't the slow and mellow moments, which the music has plenty of. It's the way that the music grows ever more intense as the track progresses, culminating in the majestic and powerful atmosphere which sends shivers through your body. Don't doubt for a moment that the music isn't depressive. It still is completely joyless in every way. Even the lyrics speak of the classic romantic doom scenario or the mourning lover who takes his own life. I conclude this review by saying this: fans of Katatonia and Niclas Forhagens' other band, Ningizzia should get hold of this release. If you just want high quality music like the melodic part of the doom/death subgenre often displays, then you should get it too.	1. Sleeping Death 2. November Dream 3. Bleak Dormition 4. Open Wound 5. Departure Approx. 61 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen