Shape Of Despair Biography
Originally conceived by guitarists T.U. (rhythm) and J.S. (lead) in 1995, Finland's Shape of Despair combined the doom/death sound of early-'90s pioneers like Paradise Lost and Anathema with the synthesizer-laced, panoramic goth metal popularized in the late '90s by Tiamat and Moonspell. Initially calling themselves Raven, the group remained a sporadic project at best, slowly composing material over the next few years, which they would eventually assemble into a long-form demo by 1998. In order to avoid being confused with New Wave of British Heavy Metal stars Raven, they also adopted the Shape of Despair name at this time. Featuring "clean" female vocals from N.S. and growling courtesy of Azhemin (on loan from Thy Serpent), the tape attracted Spinefarm Records, which promptly signed the band and returned them to Helsinki's Hellhole studios, where they re-recorded the material with sometime drummer, now vocalist T.M. and new skinsman S.R. Released with the title Shades of..., it confirmed the group's standing as one of their country's more promising new acts and led to a deal with America's Relapse Records. Boasting guest vocals from none other than Amorphis legend Pasi Koskinen and additional sonic coloring from violinist Toni Raehalme; the resulting Angels of Distress was released in 2001. ~ Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide
Popular Biographies:
In ruins Biography: In Ruins began as a series of basement demos recorded by founder/mastermind J. Michael in 1994, while the Reading, PA, native was still fronting the local metal outfit Inner Sanctum. Working on his...
Ec8or Biography: Cologne-bred, Berlin-based Patric C. (aka EC8OR) is one of the most prolific of the younger generation of "digital hardcore" artists combining hardcore breakbeat and gabber techno with elements of...
Zeraphine Biography: Zeraphine, a bilingual goth-rooted alternative rock band from Berlin, arose from demise of Dreadful Shadows, an influential English-language German darkwave band from the 1990s. Zeraphine was founded...
Scritti politti Biography: Scritti Politti is the primary vehicle for Welsh singer/songwriter Green Gartside. Few figures in pop music can claim Gartside's distinctive credentials: an artist who began in...
Human league Biography: Synth pop's first international superstars, the Human League were among the earliest and most innovative bands to break into the pop mainstream on a wave of synthesizers and electronic...
Mariza Biography: Born in Mozambique but raised in Portugal, singer Mariza became one of the most popular fado performers ever after releasing her debut album, called Fado Em Mim. The Dutch-based World Connection...
Black ice Biography: A funk and soul unit which recorded in the '70s and '80s for both HDM and Montage, but never sustained much commercial success or had any lasting aesthetic impact. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music...
Enid Biography: British group the Enid were formed in 1974. The founder of the band was Robert John Godfrey (Barclay James Harvest). In forming the group he was joined by Stephen Stewart and Francis Lickerish. They...