Nearly every band I review on here I have some back knowledge of. Even if it’s a newly formed band, I can usually point to them and say, “Oh hey! This band member was in *insert band here*!” Not Shadows. This mysterious outfit is allegedly the new project of Cris Profaner (under the pseudonym “John Shades”), founding member of cult Chilean thrashers Apostasy. I use the word “allegedly”, because you sure wouldn’t know it by this band’s ominous getup. Decked from head to toe in black, one would expect Shadows to be some ritualistic black metal band, and you couldn’t be more wrong.
No, Shadows plays a truly unique brand of traditional metal; one that emphasizes hooks and melody, but with a raw, lo-fi, and downright sinister approach. From the riffing to the vocals, there are moments that can be categorized as borderline doom or black metal, yet without ever fully crossing that threshold. Their debut album, Out for Blood, plays like a lost 80s relic you’d hear in the background of a Stranger Things episode. It’s unabashedly retro, but attempts far more than your run of the mill Maiden/Priest worship outing.
The easiest comparison to draw here is that Shadows sounds like Ghost. Both their visual aesthetic and accompanying music can be described as theatrical, and catchy melodies dominate throughout. However, Shadows are far more heavy and muscular, almost coming off as Ghost for those who long for the Opus Eponymous era. Cuts like “The Ripper” and “Into the Nightmare” (not to be confused with the Demon classic of the same name) boast harsh blackened vocals, Mercyful Fate-esque riffage, and bleak atmosphere. Meanwhile, my favorite cut, “Forgotten Rites”, is an utterly savage rager that pummels and pulverizes without mercy, reminiscent of a forgotten Death SS B-side.
For those who prefer their metal on the melodic and “lite” side, fear not! The rest of this album was MADE for you. The opening “Nightstalker” establishes the classic melodic metal ethos off the bat, but with a cryptic edge. The evil AOR of “Sacrifice” was tailormade for rock radio, simultaneously powerful and dreamy in its hook-driven approach, while “Maniac” is heavy as hell, but with the devilish sweetness of Fire of Unknown Origin Blue Öyster Cult. Rounding it all out is one more dose of Mercyful Fate worship (even down to the King Diamond inspired backing vocals) in “Alissa”, which sounds rather close to “Melissa”…coincidence?
Upon first listen, it’s hard to make heads or tails of Out for Blood. I enjoy it for its unconventional approach to classic metal. There are no rules being followed or lines drawn, hence why it runs the gamut from 80s AOR to first wave black metal and everything in between. From a production standpoint, the vocals could be a little higher in the mix, but this doesn’t drastically affect the listening experience. If anything, it adds to the album’s overall mystique. On that note, I recommend you lock your doors, light a candle, and play Out for Blood at maximum volume. Let the spirits of the netherworld know they’re not alone!
8 out of 10
Label: Sentient Ruin Laboratories
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Ghost, Sumerlands, Mercyful Fate