Shadows (CL)
Out for Blood


3.8
excellent

Review

by Dewinged STAFF
May 29th, 2023 | 22 replies


Release Date: 05/19/2023 | Tracklist

Review Summary: What a perfect night to have a curse.

Unless Cliff Richard's jugular was bitten by Lestat the Vampire in 1960 and both him and his Shadows somehow mutated into a blood leeching heavy metal band from Chile, consider these two Shadows as very different entities. The ones dressed in Halloween costumes are indeed not the 60s'doo wop phenomenon’s in any shape or form, but the new project of (ehem!) John Shades, from Chilean cult thrashers Apostasy.

Now that we have got that out of the way, Out For Blood is their first full length after a 2021 demo that opened them the gates to one of the most mysteriously consistent and always fascinating record labels in extreme music: Sentient Ruin Laboratories. The fact that a label well known for releasing material usually related to avant-garde black and death metal of the most obtuse category is releasing the debut of an early 80s metal worship band from Chile was reason enough for me to wake me up from my coffin as soon as the sun was set and the moon was high. What can I say, I'm a sentimental...

Shadows do a few things right and a few things wrong in this Out For Blood, with the rights out-balancing the wrongs by a long shot for me, but it took a while to see that actually happening. Mr. Shades’ vocals take some time to get used to, and some parts of his performance on the record still leave a lot to be desired, especially on the fifth track "Into The Nightmare". That track aside, the man is capable to sound like ten singers in one. From Ghost's Tobias Forge in "Sacrifice" to Megadeth's Dave Mustaine in the first verse of "Maniac", and even coming close to King Diamond in closer "Alissa" (we all know what you did there, John Shades.)

Out For Blood, on the other hand, displays Shades' clear ability to write a metal anthem. "Nightstalker", which opens the album, instantly transports the vict... I mean, the listener, to a Transylvanian rainy night at the gates of Dracula's castle. It’s the kind of song that could be a perfect fit for a Stranger Things episode featuring Eddie Munson's return as a living corpse (JUST SAYING, NETFLIX!). The riffs in "Maniac" or "The Ripper" will take you back to Ozzy Osbourne's early tenure with the irreplaceable Randy Rhodes, while "Alissa" will, to no one's surprise, remind you of Mercyful Fate for obvious reasons.

Comparisons be damned, I must admit that Shadows somehow manage to create their own spell through and through. They shine in the most violent tracks like "Forgotten Rites", where Shades sings like there's a demon about to come out ripping through his chest, and it's undeniable that they know how to embellish their metal with synths and a few other tricks, not to mention that the three interludes have THAT vibe.

It'll be interesting to see where this band is going in the future, provided this is not just a one off to honor the Old Gods, and that Shades is able to keep the blood juice coming. For fans of nocturnal gothic metal, I'd say this release is a must-bend-the-neck. The cover is one of the best I've seen this year (it would have been an insta-buy in the old no-internet days of buying things because of the cover), the band is dressed properly for the occasion and the album has enough chorus hooks as to feed an entire cave of thirsty bats, so buy now and be immortal tomorrow. I, for now, will go back to my coffin, it's been a long night.




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user ratings (15)
3.3
great

Comments:Add a Comment 
Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
May 29th 2023


32191 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

A week late, but work and life have (haha aaaah) sucked my... yeah, my time.



I've seen our inhouse metal scholars give this a respectable 3, which I respectfully respect, but give it time! I was on the same boat until it slowly creeped into me, it's a good record.



Enjoy it, you filthy beasts.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
May 29th 2023


18262 Comments


That's some lo-fi Sabbath inspired art right there.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
May 29th 2023


32191 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

Bloodborne kick in 3, 2, 1...

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
May 29th 2023


18262 Comments


Good to see you on the front page again my dear.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
May 29th 2023


32191 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

We usually late but we usually arrive!

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
May 29th 2023


18262 Comments


Wizards Harry. Never late ever.

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
May 29th 2023


10967 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

-- but give it time!



My rating fell exactly because I gave it time haha



Initially I had this at a 3.5+, but over time, vocals leaving a lot to be desired, and the homogenization of song structures despite the ultraheavy sound production and the excellent lead guitar work, careened the rating downwards.



Their next album will probably slay, but imho this one is merely a solid pledge for better things to come.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
May 29th 2023


32191 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

Haha damn Voivod, in that case, don't give it time, people! YOLO!

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
May 29th 2023


10967 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

^^haha

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
May 29th 2023


32191 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

Thank you for featuring oh my lords, may the blood flows in abundance overflowing your chalices tonight.

Pho3nix
May 30th 2023


1686 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

The album cover is fucking awesome. It already draws me in!



Thanks for the rev, will give this a proper listen.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
May 30th 2023


32191 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

Cheers Pho3nix, hope you dig it!

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
May 31st 2023


32191 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

1.5 hitting the Transylvania Boys. Ouch.

Pho3nix
June 1st 2023


1686 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

This is VEERING on a 2.5 for me ;__

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
June 1st 2023


10967 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

-- YOLO!



You Only Listen Once :-P







-- This is VEERING on a 2.5 for me ;__



Unfortunately, that's what I'm talking about.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
June 1st 2023


32191 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

Aw...





Well i tried! To greener pastures then!

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
June 2nd 2023


10967 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

It's a good album, but they can do better, and there are better 2023 albums of analogous descent.

DungeonBoy
June 2nd 2023


9954 Comments


the vocals kill this. otherwise good effort

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
June 7th 2023


32191 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

I'm torn about the vocals, sometimes they sound cool and original, other times it's like he's trying to impersonate other singers and it's just weird.

Loverjeanman
November 2nd 2023


32 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I liken the band's music a little bit to Ghost, but it's not a bad start.



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