Grimoire Cassette Cvlture | 1-14-14
Note: This album was released October 13th of 2013 but is now being released as a cassette from US based Grimoire Cassette Cvlture.
It is perhaps fitting the bandcamp page for Ethereal Shroud is cast in an almost illegible greyscale. the text is near illegible and there is not much information regarding the record. Because the creator goes by “Anonymous” and everything is released for free without much fanfare, Absolution|Emptiness comes cast in a fog of obscurity. This, of course, is the correct atmosphere one strives for when releasing depressive black metal. It is almost as it is cast in an abstract veil. Alright, fine … cast in an ethereal shroud. There.
If it was not obvious from the cover and songwriting, Absolution|Emptiness is an exercise in depressive black metal with heavy synth additions. The vocals are buried within instrumentation which ranges from fierce black metal to somber atmospheric post rock. Unlike other recent depressive acts, Ethereal Shroud is much more despondent and the sense of utter abandon is much more real. This is perhaps the strongest attribute for a style dedicated to existential torment. Though it is apparent that the release and act is maned by one person with limited resources, Absolution|Emptiness is a stunning triumph in a genre which can be made without the addition of dismal emotions. Ethereal Shrouds continues black metal’s journey into the depressive and well traveled sometimes returning with something unexpected.
Kaptain Carbon is the custodian of Tape Wyrm, a mod for Reddit’s r/metal, Creator of Vintage Obscura, and a Reckless Scholar for Dungeon Synth.