Shores of Null – The Loss of Beauty

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From their EPK, “The Loss of Beauty” is SHORES OF NULL’s fourth album and follows the acclaimed “Beyond The Shores (On Death And Dying),” unanimously considered by fans and critics as one of the Doom Metal gems of recent years. Both albums were recorded between 2019 and early 2020, and although “The Loss of Beauty” was initially conceived as the band’s third album, “Beyond The Shores” took its place as it better reflected the doom and gloom sentiment of the 'annus horribilis' 2020.” The album has 11 songs.

“Transitory” is the first; a short mood-setter, and the mood is somber. “Destination Woe” has some firey energy behind it, and the riffs are composed with thick layers. I usually like my Doom with harsh vocals, but the harmonized cleans work very well with the music. This will inevitably draw AMORPHIS comparisons, but that’s how the song sounds to me. That have that commanding power. “The Last Flower” sounds like the title…the last summer flower clinging on as the cold winds of winter dominate. The cleans are very emotive and the harsh vocals are very reflective of the winter, if you will. “Nothing Left to Burn” is reflective of the despair and frustration one feels when you have reached a point where your anger no longer feels cathartic. The clean vocals are expressive and the harsh ones bite with a deep burn on your skin, and the music is commanding.

“Old Scars” are those things that resurface after you thought you put them behind you. Although the music is somber, there is an energy of hope present as well. “The First Son” is a short segue to the remaining songs. A baby can be heard crying while doleful piano notes fill the room, followed by cello strings. “My Darkest Years” is an ode to a time in your life where you were going through hell. The music is powerful, and bleak. Anger rises above everything else as you look back with regrets. The slower passages are absolutely gut-wrenching. “A New Death is Born” features a smooth ride of clean vocals until the harsh vocals wipe everything away with a cleansing fire. “Time means nothing” he laments until the song turns with an unbridled energy.

Overall, this was an excellent album that combined elements of Doom, Melodic Death, and some other more subtle elements. They remind me a lot of the mighty AMORPHIS more so than counterpoints like SWALLOW THE SUN, because the music has a lot of energy. Both harmonized cleans and deep death vocals are offered, constantly changing the landscape of sound from despair to anger and rage and back again. Perhaps my only piece of constructive criticism was the length of the album…11 songs plus two bonus tracks was a lot to take in, but it was a really great listen.

Songwriting: 8
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 8
Production: 8