I’m on a bit of a symphonic metal kick of late, especially deathcore,jamming the likes of Carnifex, Ov Lustra and When Plagues Collide on a regular basis. So here is Connecticut’s Shadow of Intent, who are one of the online deathcore community’s darlings with 2 albums under their belt (Primordial and Reclaimer). They have made a name for themselves with Halo (video game from which the band’s name is taken) themed lyrics within symphonic drenched deathcore. And both albums are indeed, pretty solid.

But on the self released album number 3, the band has dropped the Halo themes in favor of more traditional, personal metal themes of death, depression and suicide, and the result is a mature improved album of standard, heavy hitting deathcore (complete with Ben Duerr’s ridiculously low bellows) with a huge orchestral back drop, and its this back drop that makes the album impressive as its provided by Francesco Ferrini, who recently provided the orchestral arrangements for Ov Lustra, but is primarily known for his work with Fleshgod Apocalypse.

So with that backdrop, most of you have left, but for those remaining that are fans of the bands mentioned above, this is a top notch release, topping the Carnifex, and on par with the Ov Lustra. And for those on the fence thinking this is another Sumerian Records,  Betraying the Martyrs ‘hot topicore’ type band, but these guys have much better song writing skills at both the deathcore element and due to the presence of Ferrini, the often Dimmu Borgir levels of orchestral arrangements are dramatically epic, on a symphonic black metal scale. Add in the maturity of the new subject matter, and you have a winning release.

The title track opens things up with a nice varied track, but is actually one of the weaker, more commercial tracks with a sugary synth line and chorus. Second track ” Gravesinger” however renders a much more mancing tone with some glorious choirs and blackned blasts, and even the hoarse clean vocals (which show up here and there throughout the album) fit perfectly, and this is more of the tone for the rest of the album. The third track, “Barren and Breathless Macrocosm” has Trevor Strnad on guest vocals during a very The Black Dahlia Murder ish blackened blast no less. “Under a Sullen Moon” is one of my favorite tracks on the album, as it has some of the album’s more bombastic choral and orchestral moments, as does closer , another favorite “Malediction” and “Chthonic Odyssey”.

Amid all the deathcore bluster is a divisive 10 minute track called “The Dreaded Mystic Abyss” an ambitious, rangy 10 minute instrumental number which really shows the bands growth, though fans might be a bit divided, as its not the standard deathcore fare, coming across like a orchestra backed prog track. But the aforementioned closer “Malediction” brings back the deathcore bluster and ending the album on a dramatic high note and showing Shadow of Intent have developed their sound and look to be one of the big time players in the future of deathcore.

[Visit the band's website]

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