Funeral doom enthusiasts will undoubtedly remember a band called SHAPE OF DESPAIR. Two magnificent albums brimming with crushing depression — "Shades Of..." and "Angels Of Distress" — won over many listeners, myself included. On the new album the lineup is as follows: Jarno Salomaa (guitars, synthesizer), Tomi Ullgren (guitars), Sami Uusitalo (bass), Samu Ruotsalainen (drums), Pasi Koskinen (vocals), and Nata Spofroskin has become Natalia Koskinen. As you may recall, three years had passed since the release of "Angels Of Distress." The new material was composed almost immediately after that release, but the music apparently affects the musicians themselves quite deeply, so the ramp-up period stretched on for a very long time — and finally, in May of this year, the recording of "Illusion's Play" was completed. The first notes of the new material instantly brought back memories of "Angels Of Distress," yet subsequent tracks show that the band is not standing still. There are more guitars, and the drum parts are less monotonous. The music has also become somewhat "brighter," lacking that sepulchral chill. Yet the pain of loss and the feeling of emptiness remain ever-present. SHAPE OF DESPAIR is still music of suffering. You want to listen to it again and again...
