Cień - Redemption

CIEŃ - Redemption (GODZ OV WAR - CD 2021)

Honestly, this album was a tough nut to crack for me. I gave it two or three listens, but I didn’t get any pleasure from the music at all. So, I putted it away. I came back to “Redemption” after couple of days, but it wasn’t much better, even if I tried. And writing a review was just impossible, I couldn’t put two constructive sentences together, I just wasn’t ready at all. It is all because the album seems so mediocre to me and so forgettable that I became completely careless about the band and their music. But the review needs to be done... 

So, here it is. I must admit that "Redemption" kind of reminded me of the existence of Cień, as I have not followed their activities for a long time now. Few years ago I had their demo "Time of Desolation" and I remember that it was good material. But I think that I did not give any of their full albums a chance. Probably I just didn't feel like it, or there were hundred other albums that I preferred to listen to. No regrets there! If "Redemption" was released by a label other than Godz ov War, it would probably be the same and I would have ignored them again. But somehow the album found its way to me. Is it good or bad ... I am not sure. On one hand, it is quite an interesting album, a lot of nice "moments" are there... but metal is not porn that you watch for "moments" (hah)! 

But yes, I think there is some solid guitar work here and there, Cień has quite a good sense of melody and how to combine it with a bit harsh black metal sound and more melancholic atmosphere. Musically, it may not be my favourite thing, but I can live with it. It is OK. But taking the entire “Redemption” together, as it is, it feels terribly boring and forgettable to me. There’s more here what I don’t like than what I do like... So, you can find a conclusion quite easily. 

Mostly, this album can irritate with lame screaming or cryful vocals with all that “pity over your shitty existence” garbage and stuff like that. I don’t like them, I never have been fan of that type of hipster or whatever vocals and especially in black metal, they sound like crap and too often I felt like the vocalist will shit himself in a minute. Someone may say that they underline the whole depressive and melancholic character of the music... maybe they do, but I don’t care. It is not what I seek for in black metal. I need to say also that the production of “Redemption” is just too sterile. Plastic drums, weak guitar tone and most importantly, these damn vocals are too loud. Yeah, I am trying to find more positive aspects in this tormenting album, but I cannot. It is boring, it is irritating, almost annoying... it is just forgettable, so I don’t really care for Cień at all. I don’t even want to spend more time typing these words, it is better to move to some music that I enjoy. 60 is top what I could give, but I am generous.

Verdict: 60/100