by: Shannon Joy
Swedish metal trio, KONGH, prepare for the official US release of their progressive doom-metal masterpiece, Shadows of the Shapeless. Presented via Seventh Rule Recordings, Shadows of the Shapeless originally saw a European issue date in early 2009 through Trust No One Recordings (Isis, Cult of Luna).
While many bands do heavy well, KONGH pull it off better than most. Incorporating styles that mimic everything from Neurosis' "Souls at Zero" to Opeth's "Deliverance", Shadows of the Shapeless offers listeners an opportunity to experience the best elements of doom, sludge, progressive, and atmospheric metal, all within the disc's 57-minute run.
By integrating minimal, Mastodon-esque clean vocals behind singer David Johansson's barbarous growl, Shadows of the Shapeless transitions seamlessly from a slower, groove based ambiance to a more brutal, pseudo-death metal heaviness. The oftentimes quiet and understated drumming of Tomas Salonen is reminiscent of Dale Crover's work with Shrinebuilder, and perfectly accompanies Oskar Ryden's appending bass lines. KONGH reserve their flashier side for the album's title track, adding guitar squeals and faster-paced drumming to an overall tone that pulls inspiration from the likes of Eyehategod and The Obsessed.
Though KONGH have by no means broken new ground within the realm of heavy music, they have enveloped the perfect combination of sub-genres through their incredibly eclectic taste and well-honed talent. Shadows of the Shapeless undoubtedly delivers a destructive dose of gratifying, heavy metal.
