OLORIN are back with their fifth release and first full length studio album via Rafchild Records on 29th June, following on from their 2011 self-titled demo, 2013 live album and 2 Eps, "Lords of Arda" and "The Wretched" from 2014 and 2019. Originally formed in 2009 in Washington, Illinois, OLORIN play a brand of epic doom metal themed with the fantasy worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien, the band even named themselves after the original moniker of main character "Gandalf the Grey". "Through Shadow and Flame" is the formation of a doomy concept soundtrack to the "Lord of the Rings" battle between Gandalf and the demonic Balrog.

Opening track "Black Chasm" sets the tone for what is to come for the next 45 minutes, a crushing series of doom laden riffs emanating from the guitars of Michael Schmidt and Collin Wolf create a foreboding heavy groove integrated with the steady rhythm section of Ryan Donoho and Kevin Hester. A brief orchestrated intro builds the tension until the first power chords growl menacingly. Unfortunately the  vocals wander in and out of tune distracting your attention from the power of the material. "Decension" is another grinding beast of low end heaviness, the injection of double bass drumming adding an extra intensity to the pedestrian tempo.

The curiously named "Ringwe" follows on with a seriously catchy main riff . "The Endless Chair" begins in an even more sedate manner with a clean picked guitar melody over the heavy distortion. "Durin's Tower" was chosen to be accompanied by an official music video, check out the youtube link below. This is a shorter song with the tempo being slightly livelier in a more sludge / stoner approach.  "Mornie" is a short atmospheric instrumental interlude leading into the album finisher "The White Rider". This is an epic near 10 minute tale of death and rebirth, swirling orchestration drifts over this initially lumbering heavy monster which transitions and builds up to a faster passage featuring the interplay of the twin guitars before slowing down and fading out with a solo vocal.

In conclusion, OLORIN  have delivered a solid album of epic fantasy doom metal, however the vocals had a tendency to stray off course detracting from the overall quality of the musicianship, that being said, this may not be so much of an issue for other listeners.  "Through Shadow and Flame" should appeal to fans of PENTAGRAM, TROUBLE, ST. VITUS etc.