About two years ago I reviewed the previous album of My Shameful from Finland, entitled The Return To Nothing. For more background info, see that review. Now their new album Descend lies before me, and boy does it have an uninspiring cover…

 

But like they say, you can’t judge a book by its cover, it’s the same with a record. The band plays a style of harsh funeral doom, which means long stretched, depressing songs and desperate vocals. Luckily My Shameful sticks to a more metal sound, leaving out stuff like, strings, female vocals and synthesizers. This causes for a more raw approach, which I like.

 

Still I get the feeling the previous record was better produced, it made a bigger impact on me, especially the atmosphere that was put on that record really got a hold of me. This one doesn’t even get halfway there, yet the songs are still pretty well arranged. It’s mainly the production and the mix that spoil it a bit for me. Also the vocals sound a bit too exaggerated every now and then. Too bad, because I was quite impressed with The Return To Nothing. Can’t say the same for Descend. Perhaps one can judge a book by its cover after all…