Band:	Isole
Album:	Born From Shadows
Style:	Epic doom metal
Release date:	October 28, 2011
A review by:	White Winter Sun

01. The Lake
02. Black Hours
03. Born From Shadows
04. Come To Me
05. My Angel
06. Condemned
07. When All Is Black

Born From Shadows is already the fifth album from Swedish epic doom metallers Isole (the band was initialy formed in 1990 under the name of Forlorn). Sadly and despite solid previous releases, the band is still not very well-known. Maybe this Born From Shadows will put a spotlight on this band who clearly deserves more recognition in the metal scene.

Compared to the band's previous releases, I will describe this new album as darker and more direct. Indeed the modern covert art is rather gloomy (and beautiful by the way) but on top of it, the music herself is even more oppressive to the listener. Nevertheless the band's trademark remains mainly preserved: melodious and melancholic parts; a very effective low/mid-tempo riffing and audible bass lines; the whole reinforcing the profound side of the music. Drumming parts are not outdone. Indeed they fully support and reinforce the heavy atmosphere in the mid-tempo parts while they insufflate a bit of rage in faster ones. All together, these elements give to Born From Shadows a wide range of variety. Just have a listen to the track "Come To Me" to be convinced. This song is simply splendid. Furthermore the vocal performance is incredible and the voice's tessitura is very impressive, too. For sure, we definitely have here one of the most beautiful voices in the genre. Also death metal vocals are scattered along the whole album, but do not be afraid, they are wittingly used and fully dedicated to the emotions and to emphasize the stifling feeling for the listener. "When All Is Black" concludes the album, upon an epic atmosphere, letting the listener caught up in a cushy and tormented vicious circle.

After several listening, I do not find any bad point on this Born From Shadows, excepted maybe a little lack of originality. But seriously in regards to the whole quality of the album, I would say that it is a small detail, really. This album is a pure enchantress ballad in the lands of melancholy and disenchanted sadness. Never pain and sorrow have been and sounded so beautiful. The production is really good and the band's performance simply reaches to perfection. Born From Shadows might please fans from Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus or While Heaven Wept. So put this masterpiece on your CD player and let the music pull you towards a bottomless pit. Highly recommended!

Highlights: "Born From Shadows," "Come To Me," "When All Is Black"