ALBUM REVIEW: G.R.I.M. - Descensus ad Inferos - Shades of Sheol

G.R.I.M. (Norway)
"Descensus ad Inferos - Shades of Sheol"
(Flap A Scale)
Release date: November 1st 2019
Genre: Doom metal, atmospheric metal

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G.R.I.M. is a fairly new ensemble from Oslo, Ås in the Akershus municipality and Askim, which is located in the Østfold county. The group is a constellation of members from various bands that belong to a conglomerate they call "Neverton United", and was put into existence in 2017 when singer Lars Martin Gimse and guitarist Dan Are Rui Christiansen found out they both had material that wouldn't fit into any of their other respective musical playgrounds. After completing the song writing process they reached out to the other members from said conglomerate of bands, and G.R.I.M. began recording their debut album in Christiansen's home studio last year.

The result of this process is the album we're having a look at today, and "Descensus ad Inferos - Shades of Sheol" is a four track album filled to the brim with dark, atmospheric epics that are collectively branded as "a philosophic exercise" and "the soundtrack to armageddon". The lyrics are mainly based around misanthropy, hopelessness and despair, and are therefore a perfect fit to the band's overall expression.

G.R.I.M.'s music is presented with a lush production that tempts the listener to sink into the dark ambience. A rich variety of riffs and melodies turn these four tracks into more than just the average doom metal record, and in terms of tempo there is a lot more energy present during the album's 41 minutes of duration.

A very enjoyable first meeting with this quintet from the south/eastern part of Norway, and if you're into dark atmospheric music I am convinced that you'll find "Descensus ad Inferos - Shades of Sheol" just as pleasurable as this writer did.

★★★★★★★★★☆

Tracklist:
1. Diary of a Misanthroposophist
2. The Decline of Society
3. The Age of Misology
4. Push the Button

LINE UP:
Lars Martin Gimse - vocals
Dan Are Rui Christiansen - guitar
Øystein Koppang - guitar
Hand Marius Haukedal - bass
Knut Martin Myklebust - drums