Shape of Despair
Shades of... (CD) 2000 Spikefarm
Apparently out of nothing, this amazing funeral doom band suddenly appeared on the doom firmament showing that the well of originality from Finland has not been dried out yet. Five songs that last together more than 57 minutes: it's hard to find more convincing arguments that this is indeed funeral doom. The key of their originality lies in the fact that they combine uncompromising, impossibly slow funeral doom with the very unique use of a flute. The flute doesn't remind at all of folk or classical music. Instead it creates a mystical, dark atmosphere. What makes this work so interesting, is the fact that you can listen to it in two different ways: as background music it creates a beautiful, relaxing atmosphere. But when you listen to it with your full attention, the music transforms into a nightmarish, haunting atmosphere, as if you are locked within a dark, old house full of suspicious noises and difficult to identify sounds. This is simply a must have, especially for fans of Skepticism, Thergothon and Unholy.	1. ...In The Mist 2. Woundheir 3. Dawn Into The Stream 4. Shadowed Dreams 5. Sylvan-night Approx. 57 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
Angels of Distress (CD) 2001 Spikefarm
Shape of Despair have already earned a place among the funeral doom elite with their debut album 'Shades of...', but their second opus 'Angels of distress' should -in an ideal world- make of them one of the most important contemporary doom bands. Their extremely melancholic, ultra slow and moody doom makes even the most insensitive ones among us feel like breaking down and cry at the unheard intensity of their frozen emotions. Masterpieces like the title track and 'Quiet these paintings are' make one wonder how in the world can one single album contain so much pain and sorrow. Like that primordial molecule, which gave birth to this discouraged universe, every note on this album contains many different worlds of depressive emotions which all bathe in an icecold, suffocating atmosphere. The opening sequence of '...To live for my death...', on which both the male and female vocalist join their voices in a heart tearing lament, is probably the most sorrowful piece of music recorded for the last two years. The beautiful violin -which replaces the flute from the first album- and the soothing, orchestral keyboards, make sure that this painful experience will last forever. In short, there are only two words you need to remember from this review: must buy.	1. Fallen 2. Angels Of Distress 3. Quiet These Paintings Are 4. ...To Live For My Death... 5. Night's Dew Approx. 57 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
Illusion's Play (CD) 2004 Spikefarm
It's been a while since 'Angels of Distress' saw the light of day, but that album is still a classic among lovers of funeral and the more romantic kind of doom. Obviously, expectations were high for the follow up, and that is what I have here, 'Illusion's Play'. Let me be straightforward and let you all off the hook: Does this album meet those expectations? Well, it certainly meets mine. The first song immediately sets the atmosphere, and one is throroughly reminded of the works that came before. This is definately Shape of Despair you're hearing. 'Sleep Mirrored' is a tense instrumental, and a tad mysterious. The style of the songs is most reminiscent of that on 'Angels of Distress', but the songs all seem to have a bit more energy and I think this is mostly because of the drumming, which is certainly more varied than on previous albums. This is both a good and a bad thing. On the one hand, like I said, it makes the music more dynamic. On the other hand, though, the hypnotic effect that so appealed to me in 'Shades of...' is much less prevalent in this album. On the whole, the songs are slow to mid-tempo, with an emphasis on the melodies played on keyboard or lead guitar by Jarno Salomaa. This is accompanied by riffing guitars, female (background) vocals, lots of deep growls, and plodding drums. The sound in general is as it is on 'Angels of Distress', very polished and this time perhaps even still better in quality. One thing I am very fond of is the dual male/female clean vocals on 'Still-Motion'. The whole beginning of that song is very entrancing and a fine example of how to write engrossing modern doom metal. However, this brings me to a point of criticism. How I wish that there were more of these moments on the album! It is this kind of atmosphere that truly set this album apart from and above the previous album, but it is so rare. In all the 62 minutes, there are perhaps too many that do not stand out or can even be seen as 'filler'. Some ambient keyboard pieces are overstretched and compared to the moment I mentioned, many song parts seem uneventful or pale. Don't get me wrong, however. All in all, this is an extremely good album and a worthy follow-up of 'Angels of Distress'. I only feel that perhaps the band haven't fully realised the potential they clearly show on that personal highlight I mentioned. One can only thoroughly enjoy what is here now, though, and 'Illusion's Play' is indeed thoroughly enjoyable. Let's hope that the future will see Shape of Despair opening up even more.	1. Sleep Mirrored 2. Still-Motion 3. Entwined in Misery 4. Curse Life 5. Fragile Emptiness 6. Illusion's Play Approx. 62 minutes
Reviewed by: Oscar Strik