Shades Of...
Shape of Despair · 2000
57 min · 5 tracks · doom metal
A haunting blend of melancholic melodies and crushing heaviness envelops listeners in a dense atmospheric soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
...In the Mist — The opening track sets a somber tone with its lengthy runtime and gradual build-up, showcasing the band's ability to create an immersive atmosphere from the start.
-
→
Woundheir — This track features contrasting dynamics, shifting from serene passages to crushing riffs, illustrating Shape of Despair's mastery of tension and release.
-
→
Shadowed Dreams — Its ethereal vocals interwoven with heavy instrumentation exemplify the band’s unique blend of despairing beauty and sonic weight, capturing the essence of their sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's atmospheric depth and unique blend of styles mark it as a significant entry in the doom metal genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, mournful melody that gradually builds in intensity, layering guitars and keyboards to create a dense atmosphere.
- Each track features extended instrumental sections, allowing for gradual development of themes rather than relying on traditional song structures.
- Vocals are sparse and often delivered in a deep, growling style, blending into the instrumentation rather than standing out as a focal point.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 …In the Mist 13:43
- 2 Woundheir 10:44
- 3 Shadowed Dreams 11:12
- 4 Down Into the Stream 8:20
- 5 Sylvan‐Night 13:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.