SHADE EMPIRE is a Symphonic/Industrial Death/Black Metal band formed in Finland in 1999. “Sunholy” is the band’s sixth full-length release, and it has nine songs. “In Amongst the Woods” is first. The opening tones are hearty with Black Metal, but the symphonic and melodic elements elevate the music. This is intelligent songwriting with an edge. “The Apostle” begins with a firm backbone, and the combination of clean and harsh vocals does the sound justice. The harsher passages are harrowing, but the clean passages are smooth and melodic. “Sunholy” really lets the symphonic elements shine amidst the darkness. Just when the more aggressive elements linger, there is a shot of clean melody.

“Torn Asunder” has a gentle and sweet sound in the opening, followed by contentious elements. The push and pull between the two is so balanced; it makes each stand out more than it would on its own. “Maroon” is much heavier out of the gate, but the melodies that follow are so catchy that you can’t help but want to sing along. That is indeed the mark of great music. “All Consuming Flame” has some unexpected electronic elements, and this band is full of surprises. The harsh sounds are stark and unforgiving, and harmonies shoot holes in them like a shotgun. The bass work is excellent, and I marvel at how the band can go from Death Metal to near Pop Metal in the same song.

“Profane Radiance” has a smooth beginning, where melodies dance around in your head, and there is a slow build to the eventual madness. The chaos is tempered with just enough harmonies to get you salivating. “Rite of Passage” closes the album, and it’s very pretty. The sound is so different it almost sounds like two different albums, but what the band shows here is their mastery of melody and songwriting.  It is both catchy and very memorable. Overall, you can tell that the band has many years together and some albums under their belt, because the songwriting is sophisticated, mature, and their sense of timing is excellent. I have heard a lot of Symphonic/Melodic Death/Black Metal over the years, but not with this much energy and enthusiasm. It’s all about the balance between the competing sounds, and the band has found that perfect formula.