TO CAST A SHADOW

The second full-length album by Norwegian Gothic/Doom Metal band.
To Cast A Shadow are now back with their second full-length album so far, after the press-acclaimed debut "All Alone" album back in 2008. The new opus, entitled "In Memory Of", witnesses the evolution of band’s sound and the big potential and authenticity of To Cast A Shadow's music.
To Cast A Shadow's tale begins with a band of three friends coming together in a basement to play loud and pounding grooves, and continues through epochs of experimenting within a range of heavy musical stylings. Influenced by The 3rd And The Mortal, My Dying Bride, Type O Negative, Satyricon, Anathema, Tool, Paradise Lost and Black Sabbath, the band's musical expression has landed firmly within the domain of Melodic Doom/Goth Metal. The sound was finally complete when a female singer was added to the mix. The original twist to the music must be found in the angelic voice of Gunnhild, which is the main voice besides the male grunting and growling. Gunnhild does not have the most remarkable voice of female Metal singers, but she simply is the best addition to these tunes of Doom and melancholy, and she does so with power and crystal clear cleanliness.
"In Memory Of" challenges two common prejudices – that against Goth Metal, whatever that is, and that against Metal where women actually sing, despite the fact that male and female Metal singers often share the same register. This record is simply fine Metal. It is mostly subtle, melodic Doom, but sometimes it wields classic Metal heft and Black Metal atmosphere.
There are clearly Sabbath-ey Doom touches here and there but the category that sprang to mind is Goth. Proper, old fashioned Goth Metal as pioneered by the likes of Paradise Lost. It’s dark and brooding in places and it has that quintessential Goth sound with wailing guitars, brooding emotion and to top it all off an impressive vocal performance from Gunnhild Huser. The album opens with the cheerily entitled "Tormented" which gives an excellent taster for what is to come. Add this to the fact that the songs are beautifully written in that finest depressing Goth tradition and it all combines to make this a very special release.
The CD was recorded at Hamar Recordings in Norway with producer Kristian Sigland (The Crest, Theatre Of Tragedy) and was mastered at Leon Music Studio in Sweden by Rikard Lofgren. It features a guest appearance by Theatre Of Tragedy lead singer Nell Sigland in the song "Betula". The artwork was developed and realized by Matthew Vickerstaff of Darkwave Art (My Dying Bride, Cradle Of Filth).
If you are a fan of Dark, Gothic Metal from the likes of My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost then To Cast A Shadow are a band that it is definitely worth checking out!!
Kolony Records, 2011 (KR011CD). Made in Italy. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Tormented 4:49
2. Morose 5:27
3. Nightfall 5:00
4. Oceans Apart 4:46
5. Betula 1:21
6. My Misery 4:45
7. When You Leave The Room 4:22
8. Set Alire 4:34
9. The Answer 4:42
10. In Memory Of 4:32
Total playing time: 44:18