Review: Cirith Ungol “All The Shadows”

Formed in Ventura, California in the early 1970s, Cirith Ungol helped shape a unique corner of heavy metal through their blend of epic storytelling, doom-laden atmospheres and dark fantasy themes. Albums such as “Frost and Fire”, “King of the Dead” and “One Foot in Hell” established the band’s cult reputation before their initial run ended following 1991’s “Paradise Lost”.

After reuniting in 2015, the band proved there was still plenty of life left in the Cirith Ungol name, releasing acclaimed comeback albums “Forever Black” and “Dark Parade”. Now, with their seventh studio album, “All the Shadows”, the Californian veterans continue their exploration of darkness, despair and humanity’s decline, delivering another chapter in a legacy that has remained remarkably vital more than five decades after its beginnings.

Review

1. All The Shadows kicks off with some phasing drums before a rip roaring riff comes in and we hit the crushing rhythm work. This is straight to the point heavy metal with twisting licks, touches of dive bombs and the undeniable edgy vocals of Tim Baker taking centre stage. It is fast, furious and full of punishing ideas that will delight any fan new or old.

2. This Mortal Stain comes stomping in at a slow trudging pace like a giant, letting the listeners feel the weight of the riffs its dragging behind. Its slow, powerful and has a lot of emotion running through its sinister veins. Notably the solo section has a big part in the song and really feels like it is played from the heart. To be honest the whole song feels like it is played from the heart, every bass and guitar note, every drum hit has feeling. A slow song but will certainly leave a lasting impact!

3. Turning Blind comes in with big, ballsy riffage that climbs up and down, but once again Tim’s vocals really cut through the mix carrying the song along nicely. The rhythm work from Armand is dull of strength and I love the little climbing licks at the end of phrases. But the dark tone of the song is what has presence here. It feels eerie yet at moments even slightly bright. The evil spoken vocals are pretty badass aswell! Its worth mentioning that the guys of Night Demon have really helped inject some life into Cirith Ungol since being apart of the band while respecting what has already come before them. Another killer track!

4. Shallow Reflection comes rolling with a flowing drum pattern from Robert Garven while Jarvis Leatherby latches on to the pattern with his thick and meaty bass lines. I like how in particular that the drums at moments feel like they have more of a focus here in the song. The drums use the toms to create cascading ideas while the guitars and bass follow along weaving and winding creating a nice tapestry of ideas. While the pace for the most part sits at the mod tempo range it soon builds, adding height before it lands on a faster section. It works great for the excellent solo section before returning its mid tempo run. Once again theres plenty of tasty things going on to keep your appetite satisfied.

5. Empty Tomb awakens with the dragging of what sounds like a sarcophagus lid before plugging into another mid to fast tempo tempo slice of crushing heavy metal. The shake of a tambourine over a driving riff pushes things forward before re song creeps forward with some riffage. Like tracks before the band come fully stocked with grinding rhythms and vocal ideas that cry out to the skies. I like how every moment feels different from the last so the song never feels boring. The short tasty solo adds a little spice to the mix but the rest of the song that follows picks up the intensity a little packing in licks and power to take it to the end.

6. On Broken Wings shifts gears by taking us away from the heaviness for a moment and introducing the sounds of sweet, soft acoustic melodies to our ears. The band presents a level of calmness and you feel the warmth from the instruments as they are slowly played. The vocals here also feel somewhat calmer and I love the addition of backing vocals to add an extra layer. The easier going direction of the song doesn’t last too long as it ignites with roaring guitars and huge vocals screaming to the skies. It just comes you like a punch too the face.

But then we return the gentleness and softness of acoustic guitars. The switching between light and heavy sections continues but soon enough the song takes yet another turn. When we hit the last section of the song we get some beefy rhythm work before we are plunged into a huge heroic duel guitar section. The single lead and harmonies glisten in the light adding a awesome touch to the end of the song.

7. Hollow Nimbus is somewhat playful with all the instruments locked in nice and tight with the bass guitar poking its head through at times. This is another slow-mid tempo track where the the weight is thrown into every note every hit that is played. Tim continues to do his thing of cutting through the mix with his explosive vocal style. Huge chords and luscious riffs will delight your ears as they sing out loud. The solo section is full of emotion – I can almost imagine Armand playing with his eyes closed. This is one of those songs you can sway about to and get lost in the moment.

8. Venus In Thirds is the album closer and first of all you are introduced to twanging bass notes and more stomping riffage. First impressions make me feel that there is a looseness to the song. Especially with the slower tempo helping. But as the song picks up a bit with the rolling kick drums and fiery rhythms it pulls out of the stomping and transitions into something more evolved. If your a fist pumping kind of person this is going to give you that opportunity. It has that power and evilness making it a simple yet strong heavy metal finisher.

Conclusion

Overall, “All the Shadows” is another powerful statement from Cirith Ungol, showcasing a band that continues to honour its legacy while sounding energised and inspired. Across these eight tracks, the album balances crushing heavy metal aggression with moments of atmosphere, emotion and melody, ensuring that each song brings something distinctive to the table. Tim Baker remains a commanding presence throughout, while the musicianship from the rest of the band is consistently first class, delivering memorable riffs, expressive solos and rhythms packed with weight and purpose.

What stands out most is how naturally the album flows between styles and moods without ever losing its identity. Whether charging ahead with fierce heavy metal, exploring darker and more emotional territory, or embracing acoustic passages and epic melodies, Cirith Ungol sound completely comfortable in their own skin. “All the Shadows” is the sound of a legendary band continuing to create music with passion, conviction and authenticity. Long-time fans will find plenty to love, while newcomers will discover exactly why Cirith Ungol remain one of heavy metal’s most respected and enduring names.

SCORE: 8/10

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