Shroud Of Distress : Be Happy
Band Name
Shroud Of Distress
Album Name
Be Happy
Type
EP
Released date
2011
Labels
Pest Productions
Music StyleBlack Metal
Members owning this album5
Review @ Satanicarchangel
Not much "gaze" incorporated into the "black"
Shroud Of Distress are quite an interesting band, although frequently regarded as Blackgaze there isn't anything in their sound to draw parallels with bands such as Alcest and Heretoir. The Shoegaze elements are limited at best, they're even more subdued than that of Trancelike Void's. In fact I would go so far to say this isn't really a Blackgaze band at all, but don't let this put you off listening to it, it is highly enjoyable and emotionally hard hitting but if you go in with the idea that it's going to sound like Alcest then turn away this album isn't for you.
One question that frequently pops up into my mind when listening to Depressive Black Metal is what constitutes as “depressive”, what makes certain bands more depressing than others? This is a question I have frequently asked myself because there are indeed many ways in presenting music as depressing and at times it is really hard to find a common ground between the “depressive” acts. Austere is desolate compared to Sonata Arctica but Lyrinx appears to be the audio representation of depression in its purest, rawest state. So I ask myself this, what makes something depressing for me? We all have different opinions concerning this matter but for me I require a sense of tragic melody and desolation. I often find some of the more “melodious” depressive acts to be the most hard hitting i.e. Trist. Although some of the less “melodious” acts are just as depressing i.e. Life Is Pain, I find for the most part bands who incorporate a heightened sense of melody into their music have a tendency to trigger the greatest emotional response from me. I bring this up because Be Happy is one of the most melodic and utterly depressing albums I have ever heard. Every song is interwoven with some of the most gut wrenching melodies that have graced my ears. Every aspect of this album breathes depression and it's hard not to be affected by it.
The music isn't the standard norm of the genre, yes there are certainly the usual traits i.e. shrieked vocals, poor production usage of minimalism (you get the picture) but there are certainly traits that make it stand out from the crowd, namely the melody which is possibly where this release picked up the Blackgaze tag. There is certainly a profound sense of melody on display here but don't let that detract you from the emotion present here because it's unlikely you've heard much that's as depressing than this. The guitars carry a suitable level of dissonance here, I imagine they'll be quite hard to get used to to someone knew to the world of Black Metal but for us seasoned veterans of the genre will actually find the tone quite soft and soothing (never thought I'd say something like that in a Black Metal release.) Due to the relatively clear guitars it makes it easier to hear the rest of the instruments and to get the “full picture” so to speak. Surprisingly the bass for the most part is actually fairly audible, most people complain about a lack of bass in Black Metal so these people will be pleasantly surprised when they hear this. There is several acoustic interludes on present here and they work perfectly within the context of the music, the changes from harsh to clean are never abrupt and everything flows perfectly making it feel much more organic and natural. The vocals are what you'd expect from the genre, harsh incomprehensible shrieking and rasping. The vocals don't place much emphasis on enunciating the words, rather they focus on portraying as much sadness as possible. The vocals are somewhat subdued within the music, given them a distinctive distant and echoing sound. The vocal performance is enough to convince me that these musicians are genuinely depressed.
The atmosphere or “shroud” if you'd rather call it that is one of hypnotic and ethereal beauty. The music is nowhere near as lifeless as other acts in the genre i.e. Life Is Pain, Hypothermia etc. It is still plenty depressing though just not so much in the traditional sense. There is a distinctive aura to the music that suggests the band has given up on life, the music feels to an extent exhausted, worn out and drained of any positive emotion, it most certainly has a distinct aura of hopelessness. Only a few bands can really capture that feeling of complete and utter dejection. If you are looking for genuine emotion rather than fake, synthetic emotions (*cough* pop music) then I strongly urge you to pick this up. This isn't just one of the most emotional records I've ever heard but it's also one of the best. This band has accomplished in one album what most bands can't seem to get right in their whole careers; genuine emotion. I'll be eagerly anticipating a full length.
Overall rating- 20/20
One question that frequently pops up into my mind when listening to Depressive Black Metal is what constitutes as “depressive”, what makes certain bands more depressing than others? This is a question I have frequently asked myself because there are indeed many ways in presenting music as depressing and at times it is really hard to find a common ground between the “depressive” acts. Austere is desolate compared to Sonata Arctica but Lyrinx appears to be the audio representation of depression in its purest, rawest state. So I ask myself this, what makes something depressing for me? We all have different opinions concerning this matter but for me I require a sense of tragic melody and desolation. I often find some of the more “melodious” depressive acts to be the most hard hitting i.e. Trist. Although some of the less “melodious” acts are just as depressing i.e. Life Is Pain, I find for the most part bands who incorporate a heightened sense of melody into their music have a tendency to trigger the greatest emotional response from me. I bring this up because Be Happy is one of the most melodic and utterly depressing albums I have ever heard. Every song is interwoven with some of the most gut wrenching melodies that have graced my ears. Every aspect of this album breathes depression and it's hard not to be affected by it.
The music isn't the standard norm of the genre, yes there are certainly the usual traits i.e. shrieked vocals, poor production usage of minimalism (you get the picture) but there are certainly traits that make it stand out from the crowd, namely the melody which is possibly where this release picked up the Blackgaze tag. There is certainly a profound sense of melody on display here but don't let that detract you from the emotion present here because it's unlikely you've heard much that's as depressing than this. The guitars carry a suitable level of dissonance here, I imagine they'll be quite hard to get used to to someone knew to the world of Black Metal but for us seasoned veterans of the genre will actually find the tone quite soft and soothing (never thought I'd say something like that in a Black Metal release.) Due to the relatively clear guitars it makes it easier to hear the rest of the instruments and to get the “full picture” so to speak. Surprisingly the bass for the most part is actually fairly audible, most people complain about a lack of bass in Black Metal so these people will be pleasantly surprised when they hear this. There is several acoustic interludes on present here and they work perfectly within the context of the music, the changes from harsh to clean are never abrupt and everything flows perfectly making it feel much more organic and natural. The vocals are what you'd expect from the genre, harsh incomprehensible shrieking and rasping. The vocals don't place much emphasis on enunciating the words, rather they focus on portraying as much sadness as possible. The vocals are somewhat subdued within the music, given them a distinctive distant and echoing sound. The vocal performance is enough to convince me that these musicians are genuinely depressed.
The atmosphere or “shroud” if you'd rather call it that is one of hypnotic and ethereal beauty. The music is nowhere near as lifeless as other acts in the genre i.e. Life Is Pain, Hypothermia etc. It is still plenty depressing though just not so much in the traditional sense. There is a distinctive aura to the music that suggests the band has given up on life, the music feels to an extent exhausted, worn out and drained of any positive emotion, it most certainly has a distinct aura of hopelessness. Only a few bands can really capture that feeling of complete and utter dejection. If you are looking for genuine emotion rather than fake, synthetic emotions (*cough* pop music) then I strongly urge you to pick this up. This isn't just one of the most emotional records I've ever heard but it's also one of the best. This band has accomplished in one album what most bands can't seem to get right in their whole careers; genuine emotion. I'll be eagerly anticipating a full length.
Overall rating- 20/20
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