What makes Shape of Despair by Shape of Despair notable?

'Shape of Despair' is notable for its profound influence on the evolution of funeral doom metal, receiving critical acclaim for its atmospheric depth. It helped define the genre's sound during a time when it was gaining traction, earning praise from specialized publications like Doom Metal.com and contributing to a growing cult following. Released in 2005, 'Shape of Despair' is the debut album by the Finnish doom metal band of the same name. At this point in their career, they were introducing their distinct sound of atmospheric doom metal, characterized by long compositions and melancholic themes. This album set the stage for their subsequent releases and solidified their presence within the genre.