Origin: Finland  
Genres: Doom Metal
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Last update/review: February 27, 2022

Shape Of Despair

Shape Of Despair have been playing their unique brand of funeral doom for a decade now, having formed in Finland in 1995. The key word here is slow, indeed, but not slow in the dreary, plodding sense, but more in the gentle ebb and flow that the guitars and keyboards put forth. This is truly atmospheric music, somber yet graceful, melancholy yet not oppressive. Funeral doom is often an acquired taste, and while Shape Of Despair may not be for everyone in the metal world, their take on this extreme form of music is arguably a bit more palatable than others in the field. One of the best, if not the best, funeral bands in existence.

Current Members

Natalie Koskinen

vocals (The Abbey, ex-Depressed Mode)

Henri Koivula

vocals

Jarno Salomaa

guitars/keyboards (ex-Clouds, ex-Rapture)

Tomi Ullgrén

guitars/bass (ex-Impaled Nazarene, ex-Rapture)

Sami Uusitalo

bass (Finntroll)

Toni Reahalme

violin

Samu Ruotsalainen

drums (ex-Barathrum, ex-Finntroll, ex-Rapture)

Former Members/Guests

T.M.

vocals

Pasi Koskinen

vocals (Ajattara, ex-Amorphis, Mannhai)

Johanna Vakkuri

flute



Discography


Shades Of ...  
2000 Spinefarm
  1. ... In The Mist
  2. Woundheir
  3. Dawn Into The Stream
  4. Shadowed Dreams
  5. Sylvan-night
  • T.M.
  • Natalie Koskinen
  • Jarno Salomaa
  • Tomi Ullgrén
  • Johanna Vakkuri
  • Samu Ruotsalainen



Angels Of Distress  
2001 Spinefarm
  1. Fallen
  2. Angels Of Distress
  3. Quiet These Paintings Are
  4. ... To Live For My Death ...
  5. Night's Dew
  • Natalie Koskinen
  • Pasi Koskinen
  • Jarno Salomaa
  • Tomi Ullgrén
  • Toni Reahalme
  • Samu Ruotsalainen



Illusion's Play  
2004 Spinefarm
  1. Sleep Mirrored
  2. Still-motion
  3. Entwined in Misery
  4. Curse Life
  5. Fragine Emptiness
  6. Illusion's Play
  • Natalie Koskinen
  • Pasi Koskinen
  • Jarno Salomaa
  • Tomi Ullgrén
  • Sami Uusitalo
  • Toni Reahalme
  • Samu Ruotsalainen



Shape Of Despair  COMPILATION
2005 Spinefarm
  1. Sleeping Murder
  2. Night’s Dew
  3. Sylvan-night
  4. Quiet These Paintings Are - Outro
  5. To Adorn
  6. Shadowed Dreams
  7. In The Mist



Written In My Scars  EP
2010 Solarfall
  1. Written in My Scars
  2. The Bliss of Sudden Loss
  • Natalie Koskinen
  • Pasi Koskinen
  • Jarno Salomaa
  • Tomi Ullgrén
  • Sami Uusitalo
  • Samu Ruotsalainen



Monotony Fields  
2015
  1. Reaching the Innermost
  2. Monotony Fields
  3. Descending Inner Night
  4. The Distant Dream of Life
  5. Withdrawn
  6. In Longing
  7. The Blank Journey
  8. Written in My Scars
  • Natalie Koskinen
  • Henri Koivula
  • Jarno Salomaa
  • Tomi Ullgrén
  • Sami Uusitalo
  • Samu Ruotsalainen



Return To The Void  
2022 Season Of Mist
  1. Return to the Void
  2. Dissolution
  3. Solitary Downfall
  4. Reflection in Slow Time
  5. Forfeit
  6. The Inner Desolation
  • Natalie Koskinen
  • Henri Koivula
  • Jarno Salomaa
  • Tomi Ullgrén
  • Sami Uusitalo
  • Samu Ruotsalainen




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