Cirith Ungol has delivered a powerful statement with « All The Shadows », a seventh album that arrives as a stunning contradiction: the pioneering American doom metal legends had announced their stage retirement in late 2024, seemingly closing the book on decades of presence. Instead, the studio proved stronger than farewell, turning this record into an act of resurrection rather than a final monument.
Fronted by Tim Baker with founding drummer Robert Garven anchoring the rhythm section, Cirith Ungol has reinforced its ranks with Armand John Anthony on guitars and production duties, joined by bassist Jarvis Leatherby. Both musicians bring credentials from Night Demon’s ranks, injecting fresh precision into the project. This fusion of Ventura veterans and seasoned reinforcements crafted eight compositions of sprawling, dense, and timeless doom metal.
The artwork, entrusted to Michael Whelan, the band’s iconic painter since its earliest days, seals this renewal within continuity. Whelan delivers another chapter of his dark, grandiose visual universe, a perfect reflection of the accompanying music.
This return validates a simple truth: for a band like Cirith Ungol, age means nothing against conviction and the perfectly tempered riff. The guardians of twilight heavy metal remain vigilant, and this message resonates powerfully in a scene where monuments from the past rarely stay this active in the studio.
The page for Cirith Ungol on Purkas.
