Clouds – Desprins

Artist: Clouds
Title: Desprins
Label: Loud Rage Music
Release date: January 13th, 2025 (Digital) February 13th, 2025 (CD)
Country: Romania
Format reviewed: High-quality digital recording
“I want to talk about everything with at least one person as I talk about things with myself.” Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Idiot
Atmospheric doom/death band Clouds returns with their seventh full-length album, “Desprins” (Romanian for Breakaway). From the moment I saw the cover art, I knew this album would be different from their previous releases, as the visual style has noticeably changed. The artwork features a crouched figure painted in cold, bluish tones, emphasizing introspection and conveying an overwhelming sense of sorrow, struggle, and despair—the core themes of the album. Blue, often associated with serenity and reliability, takes on a more esoteric and sophisticated character when blended with gray, deepening the feeling of detachment. The red accents in the background introduce a striking contrast, symbolizing both life and sacrifice. The placement of red on the figure’s hands and the floor resembles blood, reinforcing the themes of suffering and emotional turmoil.
“Disguise” opens with a sorrowful piano melody, setting a melancholic tone. As the growling vocals emerge, the sound of a flute resonates, an instrument that recurs throughout the album. The flute, often associated with mythical and spiritual figures, also carries a connection to death, enhancing the album’s haunting atmosphere. The clean vocals have evolved, now carrying a more anguished quality, particularly evident in “Life Becomes Lifeless”. Here, narratives and whispers weave through the soundscape, adding an atmospheric depth. The flute intensifies, at times resembling heart-wrenching screams of suffering. “Unanswered”,tells a tale of hopelessness and helplessness, where he mentions “even death refused my only offering.” Its soundscape mirrors the previous track, maintaining a sense of despair. In contrast, “Forge Another Nightmare” embraces a darker, heavier tone, but in its second half, the spoken-word narration lightens the atmosphere. This shift portrays a journey of letting go as if the protagonist has found a hidden truth or a moment of serenity after enduring immense pain and loneliness. “Chain Me” leans towards a funeral-like soundscape, its dramatic intensity reflected in the lyrics, depicting a deceived soul surrendering to fate. “The Fall of Hearts” focuses on the heart as the center of emotion, love, and affection. It begins with an unsettling, almost fearful atmosphere before the growling vocals erupt. However, as the track progresses, the fear gives way to raw emotion, making for a deeply moving conclusion. Specifically the clean vocals convey these deep emotions intertwined with suffering and despair. The closing track, “Will It Ever End” is aptly titled, encapsulating exhaustion and hopelessness, with a final surrender to fate, bringing everything to an end.
Additionally, the album includes two bonus tracks, “Sorrowbound” and “Chasing Ghosts”, previously released as singles. Both maintain the album’s signature soundscape and thematic elements. Overall, Desprins marks a departure from previous releases, with the flute playing a significant role in shaping its distinctive atmosphere. The evolution of the clean vocals also stands out, adding emotional depth that seamlessly fits the album’s overall tone. 8/10 by Pegah
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8/10 To Greatness and Glory!
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