ALBUM REVIEW: In The Shadow Of Your Shadow – Cult Of Luna
Post-metal behemoths CULT OF LUNA return with In The Shadow Of Your Shadow, and a quarter of a century on from their self titled debut album, they sound even heavier, more progressive and hungrier than ever on their tenth studio album.
In The Shadow Of Your Shadow starts with a bang on the title track and it doesn’t let up at all. What progresses is a masterclass in modern metal, one that takes in everything that is great about CULT OF LUNA with so much more intertwined in the sonic fabric as well, and this is the band on simply unstoppable form. The stirring instrumental Landby follows and immediately demonstrates the subtlety of the band’s music while the vast and progressive Breach is an incredible track early on too, and even at this early stage, you can’t help tell you are listening to something special.
The haunting but exquisite A Way Back harks at a change of pace but the vibe is in keeping with the rest of the album, and this is a song that stays with you, its dark but tender refrain is majestic, and centres the album in the most perfect fashion.
The eclectic nature of the music of CULT OF LUNA is something that is important here and is none more evident than on From Grey To Black, a song that is frighteningly heavy one second and then morphs into something triumphant and sublime sounding without missing a beat. This is an album where the riffs reign down when necessary and you can’t help but be overwhelmed at the barrage of heaviness but the next thing, it turns into something achingly beautiful and it all leads into an epic journey into the soul of CULT OF LUNA.
The guests on In The Shadow Of Your Shadow add extra dimensions to the tracks they appear on with GOJIRA‘s Joe Duplantier lending his talents to Sadness Will Reign. Meanwhile WOVENHAND‘s David Eugene Edward’s distinctive vocals enhance the electronic tinged One More Day.
While the rest of the album is undeniably special, the band possibly leave the best for last with the truly hypnotic Burial, an epic track in the truest sense of the world and the ultimate way to end this record. This is a track that builds and builds in the most cathartic way, with a brilliantly off the wall guitar solo early on and is ultimately such a powerful way to end this sonic journey
In The Shadow Of Your Shadow is a monolithic, affecting, and downright incredible record. It cements the bands legendary status, and the fact they sound as vibrant and vital all these years into their career just shows the immense power of the music of CULT OF LUNA. If you are going to see CULT OF LUNA on one of their upcoming live dates too, then you are in for a treat as these songs will undoubtedly crush all in their path in a live setting as well.
Rating: 9/10
In The Shadow Of Your Shadow is set for release on November 6th via RED CRK.
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