Review CIRITH UNGOL “All the Shadows”

Epic metal veterans Cirith Ungol said goodbye to life on the road in 2024. A handful of shows and future studio work were never completely ruled out, but the arrival of All the Shadows still comes as something of a surprise.

The lineup is changing as well, increasingly blending the original Cirith Ungol legacy with members of Night Demon. Jarvis Leatherby has been handling bass duties for some time now, and guitarist Armand John Anthony has joined the ranks, replacing Greg Lindstrom and Jim Barraza. That move isn’t entirely new either, as Anthony had already played numerous live shows with Cirith Ungol. The result is an interesting combination of old-school experience and younger blood.

There is no reason to worry about the new setup, though. Cirith Ungol still sound like Cirith Ungol. A major part of that comes down to Tim Baker’s unmistakable voice. His phrasing is unlike anything else in the genre and remains one of the defining elements of the band’s sound.

The opening title track, “All the Shadows,” makes that clear right away. Intricate guitar lines, heavy riffs and Baker’s distinctive vocals establish the familiar atmosphere from the first minute. It sets the tone for roughly 41 minutes of Cirith Ungol that pick up where the band’s more recent records left off.

“This Mortal Stain” slows things down a little, putting even more focus on Baker’s voice. Rough, gritty and occasionally screaming, his delivery remains one of those things you either connect with or you don’t. I definitely fall into the first camp.

“Turning Blind” shows that Cirith Ungol aren’t locked into one pace. They don’t suddenly turn into a speed metal band, but they do step on the gas and add some momentum. “Shallow Reflection” shifts the mood back toward slower, doom-heavy territory. Despite its deliberate pace, the track introduces several changes in the second half, giving the nearly six-minute song enough movement to become one of the album’s key moments.

“On Broken Wings” brings another atmospheric side to the record. This is epic metal with plenty of room to breathe. The calm, almost peaceful opening carries a subtle psychedelic feel, while Baker starts out with restrained clean vocals. From there, the song gradually develops into a massive riff-driven piece that brings several sides of the band together. The quieter passages eventually return, and those contrasts keep its seven-minute runtime moving without ever feeling drawn out.

With “Hollow Nimbus,” the full weight comes crashing back in. Then “Venus In Thirds” brings the album to a concise and fitting conclusion. A driving rhythm pushes the band’s doom tendencies to the front, while the track itself sums up the Cirith Ungol formula without overcomplicating things.

With All the Shadows and a reshaped lineup, the Californians remain firmly committed to their musical identity. Driven by Tim Baker’s unmistakable voice, Cirith Ungol work their way through eight epic metal tracks that carry the band’s familiar trademarks while adding another chapter to their long-running story.