Veil of Conspiracy - Shape of Grief

 Veil of Conspiracy is a doom metal band from Italy, who formed in 2016.  Their latest release, “Shape of Grief,” is their third full-length album. It came out back in January but I’m a busy guy so excuse me for being so late.  

Regardless, time doesn’t matter to an album like this.  It was great in January, it’s still great now, and it will be great a year from now.  Truly, this is one of the best doom metal albums I’ve heard in the first half of the year.

The interesting element of this album is that, although it is very much rooted in doom, it’s also progressive to a degree.  Both genres tend themselves to long song structures but, surprisingly, “Shape of Grief,” avoids that with songs that are on the “short” side of both genres.  I like this approach, it works wonders for the band.  It also allows them to be hung on any one passage for too long as there isn’t time for the same note for 15 minutes.  

Each song flows smoothly to each other but on an individual basis,  each one is a little mini-epic with a lot of cool moments that have kept me glued to this album for months–with no signs of that changing anytime soon.

The band’s ability to combine funeral, atmospheric, and melodic textures into this album is nothing short of spectacular.   It makes for a compelling listen because it’s a very dark, sorrowful album at times but it also has moments of hope and glimmers of light. It’s an unique approach but transforms these eleven songs into a tapestry that can be quite cold but also with an expansive warmth, something rare for the genre.

Sounds of a storm cascade in the album’s opening moments through the song “How Far is The Light.”  The massive riffs meld very well with the sounds of nature and by the time the minute mark has passed, the song is already dark and full like a storm.  Nicola’s presence begins with wonderful clean vocals that glide with ease through the winds.  His death growls/screams are among the best in the genre and quickly turn the song towards more harrowing avenues. 

The band is very confident with each other as evident by the song having so many great individual performances but can also be listened to as a wall of sound that I just let wash over me.  The clean passage after the 4 minute mark is short but magical and leads into a dirge, complete with a sweet guitar solo.

“Burden,” is an early highlight on the album’s first half.  It’s low, slow, and represents what I want in a doom metal song.  The drums hit hard, complimenting the sweltering riffs but moving alongside the atmosphere.  The guitars are just melodic enough, working wonderfully against the grain of the insane screams that soon arrive. The chorus is among the most catchy on the album, delicate and expressive cleans but presented with powerful words.  This passage makes the extreme vocals afterwards all the more deadly and potent. 

Doom can be heavy without actually using distortion and “Empty Shores,” is a prime example.  The opening moments are clean, acoustic, and with low, whispered vocals.  As the layers build up, more clean vocals arrive and the lead guitar adds melody. It’s all very dense and, in its own way, as heavy as anything else. Of course, the actual heavy elements arrive and hit like a ton of bricks; I almost fell over the first time I heard the transition of this song.  Another clean passage arrives, heavy with atmosphere—it’s beautiful in a grey way.  “Empty Shores,” really showcases how well the band/album handles both light and dark elements.

As I get deeper into the album, I’m happy to report the quality never drops.  “Endless Void Within,” is a banger of a song, opening with a death metal focus and it continuously rages.  The bass and drums are the MVP here, offering a visceral performance.    The last moments of the song bring out the clean vocals, ending it in their signature atmospheric style.

The best is saved for last; the final song, “Silent Dirge,” is yet another highlight and one of my favorites.  I love the subtle atmosphere and the void-like tone of the guitars in the beginning. This is one of the slowest songs presented, each note seeping into veil little by little.  All the sorrow, the doom, the despair, soaked up into one impregnable place of darkness.  

Veil of Conspiracy's “Shape of Grief,” is an standout album, doom or otherwise.  I can’t think of a reason for any fan of doom to hear this and not be blown away.  This is a heavy, depressing experience that is also rich and rewarding.  

Rating:  Excellent