Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Shadow of Intent - Elegy (2022)
For the past couple years, I've stumbled upon a few tracks by this band Shadow of Intent to add to the monthly Revolution playlists. Although I enjoy deathcore mostly when it's mixed with progressive or symphonic elements, this band doesn't have as much of a kick as Lorna Shore. That's a little odd because Shadow of Intent has some maturity in their symphonic deathcore. With that said, there's some great stuff in their new album Elegy!
Elegy shows what Shadow of Intent are made of. It's packed with enough symphonics from the orchestration and keyboards to have the Fleshgod Apocalypse symphonic death metal part of the sound, and helping out with that is the man responsible for that band's orchestral aspects, Francesco Ferrini. The melodeath comes from the guitars.
The opening track "Farewell" starts the album like Lorna Shore would, with a one-minute epic orchestral mood-setting intro, before the heaviness storms in triumph. While the deathcore sound might not attract those not used to the sound, it's balanced out with the soft melodic parts, and that's easy to recommend. The melodeath guitar work appears in "Saurian King". The ending of "The Coming Fire" is one of the most memorable parts of the album. It's "Gravesinger 2.0" (yes, I've listened to that song as part of the playlists)! It segues into the equally memorable intro of the song "Of Fury" that continues the symphonic melodeath/deathcore sound. There's sonic maturity within the deathcore that's still around, especially in the vocals. "Intensified Genocide" is one of the most intense songs here, with fast heavy energy.
You might wanna check out "Life of Exile" for some clean vocals that appear alongside the usual growls and screams. "Where Millions Have Come to Die" has more dynamic brutality. The variation makes sure there's unneeded repetition. "From Ruin...We Rise" has more of those varying vocals. This vocal maturity is suitable for the album's earlier concept of inhumane genocide. The powerful cinematic deathcore of that track is set aside for something more groove-laden in "Blood in the Sands of Time". Is that a symphonic deathcore at groove metal? Likely so!
If there's one thing to drag the album out of perfection's reach, it's the 5-minute instrumental "Reconquest". It sounds like there should've been vocals in the first 4 minutes, though the last minute has cool guitar. A small weakness that the band would then recover from... The 13-minute 3-part title suite is the album's true climax, starting with the short clean "Adapt", continuing with the rising "Devise", and ending with the powerful 6-minute "Overcome". Epic, though not as glorious as Lorna Shore's Pain Remains suite.
Elegy is a mature offering from Shadow of Intent in the music and lyrics. The symphonic deathcore bounds continue to expand! It's not as memorable as Lorna Shore, but still worth great listening. Top-notch orchestration is uncommon in deathcore, but I'm determined to continue my journey of discovery....
Favorites: "Farewell", "The Coming Fire", "Of Fury", "Where Millions Have Come to Die", "From Ruin...We Rise", "Elegy" (full suite)