Shades of Sorrow – Paradox

Label: Sliptrick Records
Releasedate: 03-09-2019
Written by: Daniel Picón

Shades of Sorrow, a band from Eastern Canada just released their latest offering, a full length album called “Paradox” which at first strikes as the typical fuzzy hard rock with soothing feminine vocals, but then hits hard with some fast tempo more aggressive moments. After a while you understand you are in for an eclectic hard rock ride.

If you are into the whole retro hard rock vibe that has resurrected in the last couple of years, this might be your cup of tea, but what might differ from that repeated style is that Shades of Sorrow don’t keep it simple and predictable. Paradox is not just about fuzzy hard rock riffs, there are hints of other flavors that go more into the metal direction, and ever so slightly into prog territory, hell, they even throw some French lyrics when you least expect it.

At first I thought there was something off with the production, most specifically towards the vocals. Perhaps you could say that the mix was a bit rough at times, at least it felt that way, but after a few listens I managed to accommodate the singing style to my liking and was able to assimilate the rawness of it.

If I would have to mention a highlight, or a moment that caught my attention it would definitely be the bluesy slow break within the song “Cyanide” It was kind of uncalled for, which is a change that I appreciate. Sure it is quite reminiscent of a Hendrix-Sabbath hybrid, but a good one at that nonetheless, I guess I appreciate when bands hit both sides of their dynamic range.

To conclude, I’d say this album is quite accomplished, it delivers straight up raw hard rock with tasty guitar riffs that range from fuzzy, to chuggy to bluesy and on top of all that, roaring or soothing vocals depending on the mood that the song is trying to convey.

Line up:

• Monise Ouellette – Vocals
• Mike Taylor – Guitars
• Pascal Deslongchamps – Drums
• Julien Leblanc – Bass

01. Follow Me Down To Hell
02. Break
03. Notorious
04. Cyanide
05. Paradox
06. Facade
07. Fractured

Links:

Facebook