Forest of Shadows

When Sweden's Forest of Shadows cite Katatonia, Rapture and Cult of Luna as musical influences it comes as no great surprise, at least not after more than a few minutes of listening. Like many melodic doom albums, Six Waves of Woe describes itself well. Though the aptness of the record's title takes a while to emerge, eventually the slow, insistent momentum knits waves and woe together into an evocatively gloomy picture. At first it seems like Forest of Shadows could be aimed toward a post-rock anywhere but gradually ambient outlines get filled in with heavier, darker strokes. Mournful, undistorted vocals give way to growled laments, electronic tones sink beneath thick, dirge-y riffs and the album's funereal pace slips briefly into a driving pulse. Forest of Shadows may have little official output to show for more than ten years of work but Niclas Frohagen has used his time well, turning a revolving door project into a solid solo venture and transforming the promise of potential into the delivery of expert execution.