News.RttP{Shroud of Bereavement info/new album}

sorry this is so long, but lots of shit going on.

After 4 years of waiting Alone Beside Her will be released! We have finally gotten the right Distro/label that fits our needs. We hope to have them pressed for the Heathen Crusade 2 Fest on Jan 18th. Screaming Ferret/Metro City records will be releasing the album and it will be distributed through Fontana/Warcon, (in association with Concrete Planet (This means that you will be able to find the cd ANYWHERE) The album cover art will be amazing as I was there assisting the artist with the final details/layout and again, it is looking AMAZING.

Song List:
1. Effloresce
2. A Rose For A Dying Muse
3. Alone Beside Her
4. Unsanctified
5. Communion
6. The Forever Dance (remastered bonus song)
I will post a picture of the artwork and more details very soon.

-Dan R.

Also a few new reviews came out recently

There is no real link so I guess I'll just post it. (it just brings you to the main Doom Metal.com page)

Demo Fall 2004 (Demo) 2004 None

Shroud of Bereavement hail from the US and play 'neo-classical doom/death metal'. In this case 'classical' means that a lot of instruments feature besides the standard metal instrumentarium, namely keyboards, female clean vocals, violin, samples, and acoustic guitar.

That description gives away that we're dealing with another 'atmospheric' doom/death band with romantic thematics. A lot of people probably know enough by now, but a lot of others greatly enjoy the style and will want to know if Shroud of Bereavement can live up to the fairly high standards that have been set in this niche of modern doom metal.

My answer: in the future, yes. The level of this demo is quite far above that of the previous one (Demo 2003), and it offers some interesting elements that will appeal to lovers of this style. The band mixes slow to uptempo doom/death metal in the vein of some pretty obvious inspirations with extended keyboard/acoustic interludes, samples and well sung female vocals. This range of sounds makes the music varied, and here and there a right "note" is struck. Especially the acoustic guitar/violin pieces are of a high quality. However, I feel the whole release lacks coherence and a clear direction. This was even more so on the previous demo, but it is still a problem.

All in all, this is a very decent demo, and if the band works a little more on making sure everything fits together, they might be responsible for some quality romanic doom releases. Right now, I'm still missing a lot of chemistry, though.

1. A Rose For A Dying Muse
2. Alone Beside Her (live)

Approx. 22 minutes

Reviewed by: Oscar Strik
...Of Ages (CD) 2005 Oak Knoll

After having stirred the Doomed community's silent waters with 2003's well-received 'Shroud Of Bereavement' demo, Daniel Robinson's brand of Neo-Classical Death/Doom again emerges from the depths with 2005's '...Of Ages', a compilation of unreleased material spanning the band's infancy in 1996 to its sprawling adolescence in 2000. Although not a new album in the traditionally defined sense, '...Of Ages' serves as a splendid retrospective, and the band's roots are showcased here in raw, unpolished glory.

The songwriting present in this opus highlights Robinson's keen sense of epicness and dedication to compositional variation. From the orchestral textures that serve as a flowery bed for the competent guitars, to the angelic female vocals that seductively weave melodies gently around softer acoustic passages, this work certainly forms Shroud Of Bereavement's mission statement: the expression of tragedy through the creation of beauty. Robinson's gutteral vocals are pained and viscious, and give the songs both a sense of hopelessness and yearning. The two intertwined imbue the album with a degree of potence that most will instantly consider classic.

This album was transferred via cassette, and Robinson's liner notes implore the listener to forgive the absence of production. Although lacking somewhat in clarity, the production actually serves '...Of Ages' quite well, shrouding(no pun intended) the album in a quaint form of esoteric mystery and charm. Great songs transcend production, and this is certainly the case here.

Shroud Of Bereavement have evolved from Daniel Robinson's solo project to a full-fledged band since the material present on this album was created. Thankfully, the band chose to look into their past and give us this jewel. As with most precious stones, this will only increase in value and relevance over time, and should be included in the collection of discerning Doomsters everywhere.

1. The Absolution Of Sorrow
2. Willowsoul(Original Version)
3. The Fool's Lament
4. I Cry
5. An Empty Gaze
6. The Forever Dance
7. Must It Be
8. Willowsoul (Second Version)

Approx. 58 minutes

Reviewed by: Timothy Coleman
Shroud Of Bereavement / Withersoul (CD) 2006 Oak Knoll

Born of the cold, pelagic reaches of the Northeast United States, the 'Shroud Of Bereavement/Withersoul Split' is a maritime ensemble of gorgeous melancholia and convention-bending composition. Seraphic vocals permeate the atmosphere of this release, and as such, bestow this album with the perfect balance of beauty and mystery. Those with an appetite for Death/Doom with liberal splashings of gothic epicness will no doubt be glutted heavily upon the cheerless feast to be discovered within.

Shroud of Bereavement begins the morose festivities, offering the listener two songs that threaten to overwhelm with the sheer dark grandeur of classically inspired Death/Doom. Shroud of Bereavement eschews convention with the employment of genuine stringed instruments, delegating the traditionally favored keyboard's role to one of ambience. The resulting sound is depressively baroque, and may draw comparisons to early era Theatre of Tragedy and Morgion. Such flawless orchestration is often absent from many modern releases, and is truly refreshing.

'A Maddening Hue' is a reworked version of 'I Cry', a song intially realized in the band's formative years and included in 2005's' ...Of Ages'. This newer version is a testament to Shroud Of Bereavement's musical maturity and increased artistry. Slowly picked acoustic guitars create a droning folk-wash to set the track's tone, and is slowly joined by a seductive chorus of female voices set against an increasingly prominent assortment of strings. Death Metal vocals are soon generously employed, as are heavily distorted guitars. The slow crawl towards the song's majestic climax are both satisfying and fittingly torturous.

Opting for a more straightfoward approach, '...And Their Tears Shall Flood The Earth' begins with a resonant piano composition before quickly falling to a chugging gothic blast of crushing guitars, strings, and a much more prominent keyboard. This is easily the more ferocious of the collective songs, and finds the guitarwork exhibiting shades of technicality alongside sharpened rhythmic sensibilities. Vocals, both male and their angelic female counterparts, seem darker and edgy. This works in harmony with the strident fluidity of the song, and will be appreciated fervently by advocates of the more extreme.

Withersoul musically provide Shroud Of Bereavement with a nearly defectless compliment, as both bands share a few similarities in both lyrical theme and aural execution. Withersoul, however, is the more traditional of the two, describing their sound as "Monolithic Doom/Death Metal". Aggression is abundantly utilized, as well, evidenced by much faster tempos and more intricate guitarwork. Female vocals are also deployed, albeit much differently, taking a more powerful leading role while retaining a decidely organic quality. Withersoul's offering on this release is simply vigorous and pounding.

Withersoul's first track, 'Forever, I Will Burn', is a heavily gothic whiff of furnace dross, complete with swelling diminished chording and blasting drums. An interplay of Death vocals and female singing gives this song an element not unlike that of early Theatre Of Tragedy, though the utter speed of Withersoul's relentless assault quickly obliterates a true comparison. This track offers a very clear picture of Withersoul's technical ability, and exemplifies the harsher melodic elements so prevalent in Death/Doom. From the furiously employed palm mutes to the ethereal synth strings, 'Forever, I Will Burn' is a gothic tour-de-force.

Insidious Eastern-influenced melodies await the listener in 'Descent', Withersoul's second offering. The sheer melodic element of this track is overwhelmingly heartfelt - a prime requisite for memorable songs. Harmonized Egyptian scaling saturate this production, pausing periodically for a dark, muted rhythm. The vocal landscape of this song heavily favors the use of female oration, which blends seamlessly with the song's decidedly Gothic Metal focus. Death Metal vocals puncture the mix sporadically, as if to remind the listener an aggressive tempo change could be lurking around every corner.

'In Emptiness', Withersoul's third and final offering, begins with an ominous blackened screech that becomes quickly assimilated into a bleak landscape of guitar and heavily prominent keyboard. This section instantly conjured memories of The Sins Of Thy Beloved, which I regard as a favorable comparison. Without warning, the track suddenly veers into a piano interlude, joined slowly by drums, guitars, and stunning female vocals. Mellow yet intensely performed, the section moves finally into a NWOBHM-esque twin guitar harmony placed nicely against a near virtuosic display of piano ability. Quite the way to end an album! Shroud Of Bereavement and Withersoul certainly make their case here as premier acts within the small but potent US Doom scene. This release certainly has something for everyone, and may well be placed in the realm of classic albums for fans of Epic Doom Metal. Both bands make a hefty statement about the their future, which seems to be a quite fruitful one. With material like this, Shroud Of Bereavement and Withersoul assure us all they're just getting started.

Shroud Of Bereavement:
1. A Maddening Hue
2. And Their Tears Shall Flood The Earth

Withersoul:
3. Forever, I Will Burn
4. Descent
5. In Emptiness

Approx. 50 minutes

Reviewed by: Timothy Coleman

Also, check out our article in Metal Maniacs, out mid Jan