Hailing from Germany and formed in 2022, Black Metal band SHADOWS presents their debut album. They were formed by guitarist and vocalist Dejan Milenkovits as a solo project during the pandemic lockdown. What began as a recording of a handful of songs released in early 2022 quickly grew beyond its original intent. Consequently, Finnish session drummer Filip Gäddnäs was recruited to track drums and long-time friend and collaborator Mathias Lodmalm was invited to co-produce a full album. In early 2025, the band was expanded to include drummer Joél Cirera and guitarist Martin Bermheden, both of whom were former band members with Dejan Milenkovits from the disbanded death metal band ENSHRINED. The trio was finally joined by Andreas Holm on bass, completing the permanent lineup.

The album has nine songs. “As Above, So Below” is first. Out of the gates comes a hardened, catchy riff, and harsh vocals. It sounds more like Thrash Metal to me, but that’s neither here nor there. “Lamia” is the first single from the album, and it has more of that sturdy, thick Black Metal sound, but instead of the wall of guitars that usually accompanies the style, these riffs are discernable. “Nadir” swells from the fury if the riffs and threatens to explode on your lap. Through the first four songs however, there isn’t much variation from song to song. “Spring Sleepwalker” has a livelier riff that moves and sways from the weighted bottom end of bass and drums. The bass could be louder in the mix, however. This song features a lot of depressive qualities.

“A Séance” has that more ominous Black Metal sound, and the song is more alive, more bombastic. Depressive tones disappear, and they are replaced with a deep aggression. “Msnna XCIV” is another straightforward Black Metal song that has all the common elements of the genre…a harrowing edge, an overgrown thick set of guitars, and vocal screams. The drummer is also working overtime here, with blast beats faster than you can count. “Unnamed Sorrow” is the final cut, and it’s another blaster, with many somber qualities. The vocals are particularly harrowing as well. Overall, this was a solid release. As I mentioned, there isn’t a lot of variety, so in that absence, the band has to really drive their sound through you ears and into your head, and they did that.