I really try to have the most open mind and heart to new expressions of music. And this attitude of mine brings me to the point to be an eclectic guy. But sometimes, some very weird releases come to my hands. And I must confess: there are times when my patience is tried extremely hard. Because some bands don't use a conventional approach on their musical work, I must pay more attention than the usual, and it makes me extremely tired. And this is what many writers pass every single day. And one more time, I have to decipher a riddle, because ETHEREAL SHROUD's second album, called "They Became the Falling Ash", demands a lot from Big Daddy here.

Harsh and cruel, this one man band (that have Joe Hawker being the only member, of course) is playing a way into Depressive Black Metal that really is very weird, but good. Weird that I mean due the clear influence from some earlier Black Metal bands as TORMENTOR and BURZUM, using some atmospheric parts, and even a Doom Metal insight in some moments. And in this style, I must admit: it's a true voyage into a totally different musical world, using very long songs to express his work. And they are really big!

The sound quality is very harsh. But to fans of the style, I really don't think that this feature can be a trouble. The greater part of Depressive Black Metal bands uses this kind of sound quality, and seems to me that it's a essential part of their music. Now, to describe this album, it's very difficult in some parts. The first difficulty: there are only three enormous songs, and the shortest has more than  10 minutes ("Desperation Hymn", that is a very darkened and morbid song, using good keyboards). The other two reaches 24 ("Look Upon The Light", presenting some interesting rhythmic variations and good riffs) and 25 minutes ("Echoes In The Snow", that uses a more aggressive insight, even with this depressive feeling that permeates the whole song, with some good screams).

A good band, but extremely difficult for those who aren't into the style.