Shape of Despair

The Profile

Shape of Despair is a Finnish funeral doom metal band formed in 1995 (originally as Raven) and later renamed. Known for vast, slow-moving atmospheres and desolate melodies, their catalog includes Shades of..., Angels of Distress, Illusion’s Play, Monotony Fields, and Return to the Void.

Finnish funeral doom outfit among the genre’s key names; formed as Raven before adopting the Shape of Despair moniker. Reviews note participation from musicians tied to the Finnish extreme scene and highlight vocals by Pasi Koskinen and Natalie Koskinen on certain releases.

Three reviews celebrate Shape of Despair’s bleak, monolithic funeral doom. They highlight the suffocating atmospheres of Shades of..., the crushing despair of Angels of Distress, and the abyssal Illusion’s Play. Vocals by Pasi and Natalie Koskinen are noted, as is the band’s Finnish pedigree and roots as Raven. Expect beauty in absolute darkness.