Melancholy reimagined: the haunting elegance of Shadecrown’s “O” – album review

I had no idea where the phrase “melodic death/doom” originated when I first heard about Shadecrown. The new album “O” has a classic Finnish feel at first listen, yet it delves deeper into beauty and sorrow. Since their previous album, Shadecrown‘s music has evolved; it is now heavier, more melodic, and more emotionally nuanced.

In case you were unaware, Shadecrown is a 2012 band from Viitasaari, Finland. The fourth studio album, “O,” will be released on July 25 after the release of the three full-length albums, “Agonia” (2016), “Riven” (2019), and “Solitarian” (2021). If you can’t wait, you may listen to the singles “The Art of Grieving” and “Tear-blind” before the full release.

Featuring its soaring piano lines, crushing riffs, searing lyrics, and Finnish guitar and riffs, “The Art of Grieving” (featuring Sheila Bernal as second voice) is a potent debut single. The dynamics and melodies of the Archenemy’s songs harken back to a more traditional kind of melodic death, while parts of the voices are evocative of Omnium Gathrum‘s early, pioneering albums. Following that we also hear more of those classic riffs in the following songs “In a State of Agony” and “Fragile Chapters”.

With “Gone”, things are changing slightly. As the piano becomes more prominent and the heavy drum cadence resembles a slower pace in the record, one can almost anticipate that the second half of the album will get thicker and thicker. And that is exactly what if feels like. “Zero” is, in my view, the most fascinating song on the album because of the intriguing voice transition that further fascinates the whole sound. It has a lot of flavour and song dynamics, and it could lower expectations compared to some of the album’s earlier tracks. The high notes of the song’s main section nicely merge with Jari Hokka’s unique voice.

The duo’s performance of “Under the Waves” completely alters the album’s tone, bringing back memories of early Draconian recordings.The song’s complex riffs and tempo variations nearly perfectly complement the vocal exploration, while the riffs’ vibrant colours and keyboard effects really stand out.

Returning to a more traditional Finnish style, the song “Inadequate” takes us on a voyage of liberation, reflection, and despair. The solo in this song, which is another excellent one on the album, doesn’t feel forced; rather, it fits the tune well.

In “Tear-Blind,” Vilma Peltokangas’s cello performance narrates a heartwarming story of a person confronting death head-on and relishing their last moments. The band’s distinctive sound combines aspects of conventional rock with more modern musical compositions and dynamic choices, even if the words don’t fully convey the tale that the music is attempting to portray. The album closed with “Repentance,” a slower track that evokes the nostalgic feel of dramatic ’80s TV fiction and sci-fi, enhanced by atmospheric keyboard tones.

I can see why this band is linked to doom, and I can tell that one of their defining features is their frequent use of vibrant drumming and tempo shifts, which are unique for melodic death. I can’t, however, completely classify the melancholy element based only on the words. You may see glimpses of different musical genre explorations emerging gradually, but they may not be fully defined yet, so I’m interested to see where the band will go.

This album is for you if you’re searching for dramatic, devastating metal that doesn’t hesitate to display vulnerability. Put the date July 25, 2025, in your calendars!

Tracklist:

1. The Art of Grieving
2. In a State of Agony
3. Fragile Chapters
4. Gone
5. Zero
6. Under the Waves
7. Inadequate 
8. Tear-blind
9. Repentance