Shadecrown - 0 (2025)

Since it seems to be a requirement in Finland to play in a Metal band, there are countless excellent bands in that country. While we all know the big names, it is always interesting to find outfits like Shadecrown, which have a killer and very refined sound and yet they are not as big as others. With “0”, the band delivers over 44 minutes of highly melancholic, expertly crafted Melodic Death/Doom Metal, similar to outfits like Before the Dawn, Swallow the Sun, Insomnium, Hanging Garden, but with their own particular style.

Opening with the high-octane “The Art of Grieving”, the band sets a very melancholic and melodic mood with crafty riffs, engaging atmospherics and a solid blend of weeping lead guitars alongside your traditional growls. There are definitely some similarities to bands like Insomnium and Omnium Gatherum, but the band managed to carve out their own signature style while unleashing excellent head-banging inducing pieces like “In A State of Agony”, “Fragile Chapters” and “Gone”.

By the time “Under the Waves” hits, the album turns into more melancholic territories. This track features guest female vocals by Sheila Bernal and Doomier edge, reminiscent of some of Swallow the Sun’s work, but with the band’s own twist and a killer cathartic plateau. The fast-paced, “Inadequate” has a certain magical Children of Bodom-esque melodic onslaughts alongside lush atmospherics, creating a very melancholic and elegant piece. Further expanding their sound, “Tear-blind” includes a solemn Cello that gives the band more depth and allows the song to be quite dramatic.

Closing with “Repentance”, we found ourselves wanting to instantly restart listening to “0”. Inverse Records has been releasing the band’s albums since their 2016 debut “Agonia”, and they have only gotten better with time. In a very saturated market, it is very refreshing to hear a band with their own take of the genre, while still keeping things highly melodic, extremely melancholic, and in general very well crafted and refined to keep them competitive with their peers.

Label: Inverse Records

Release: July 25th, 2025

Genre: Melodic Death/Doom Metal

Country: Finland