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{{Short description|Finnish funeral doom metal band}} {{More citations needed|date=March 2010}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> | name = Shape of Despair | image = Shape of Despair 2023-10-07 From Dusk Till Doom 1.jpg | caption = | image_size = | background = group_or_band | alias = Raven (1995–1998) | origin = [[Helsinki]], Finland | genre = [[Funeral doom metal]] | years_active = 1995–present | label = [[Spikefarm Records|Spikefarm]] (2000–2005)<br />[[Season Of Mist]] (2005–2010, 2012–present)<br />Solarfall (2010)<br />[[Avantgarde Music]] (2011) | associated_acts = [[Ajattara]], [[Amorphis]], [[Depressed Mode]], [[Ea (band)|Ea]], [[Finntroll]], [[Impaled Nazarene]], The Mist and the Morning Dew, [[Rapture (band)|Rapture]], [[Throes of Dawn]], [[Abstract Spirit]] | website = | current_members = [[Jarno Salomaa]]<br/>Tomi Ullgrén<br/>Natalie Koskinen<br/>[[Sami Uusitalo]]<br/>Henri Koivula<br/>Daniel Neagoe | past_members = Toni Mäensivu<br/>[[Pasi Koskinen]]<br/>Samu Ruotsalainen }} '''Shape of Despair''' is a [[funeral doom]]{{cn|date=May 2025}} band from [[Finland]]. ==History== The band was founded in 1995 as Raven by [[Jarno Salomaa]] (guitars, later also keyboards), Tomi Ullgrén (bass, later guitars) and Toni "Otso" Mäensivu (drums, later vocals).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Under The Influence #70: Exitium Sui on “Monotony Fields” by Shape of Despair! – Metal Noise |url=https://metalnoise.net/2020/10/under-the-influence-70-exitium-sui-on-monotony-fields-by-shape-of-despair |access-date=2025-02-05 |language=en}}</ref> They aspired to play faster, instrumental black metal influenced music following the footsteps of their contemporaries like Strid, Burzum, Darkthrone and Unholy.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |last3= |last4= |last5= |last6= |first6= |date=2025-01-11 |title=ANGELS OF DISTRESS : Career interview with Shape Of Despair (FUNERAL DOOM/DOOM DEATH METAL) |url=https://www.webzinelescribedurock.com/2019/05/interview-with-shape-of-despair-doom-metal-finland.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Le scribe du rock |language=fr}}</ref> However, the trio soon decided that the music they played was not as good as they wanted it to be, feeling that it lacked the atmosphere and emotion of the bands that influenced them. During the summer of 1995, Raven recorded their rehearsals on cassette tapes, capturing all the songs that later became the ''Alone In The Mist'' demo. After listening to the tape, Raven decided it was good enough to record the tracks in a professional studio. Three years later, Raven entered Arkki-studio.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shape Of Despair - Biography |url=https://metalstorm.net/bands/biography.php?band_id=327&bandname=Shape%20Of%20Despair |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Metal Storm |language=en}}</ref> They postponed practicing vocals until the last minute and were surprised at how well Mäensivu's vocals fit their music. The ''Alone In The Mist'' demo<ref name="Young">{{cite book |first=Garry |last=Sharpe-Young |title=A-Z of Doom, Goth & Stoner Metal |year=2003 |publisher=Rockdetector |isbn=978-1-90144-714-9 |page=362f}}</ref> was not released until 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellino |first=Emily |date=2016-09-28 |title=Shape of Despair Premiere Demo, "Shadowed Dreams" |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2016/09/28/shape-of-despair-premiere-demo-shadowed-dreams/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Decibel Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> The band changed their name in September 1998 to Shape of Despair, in part to distinguish themselves from a UK hard rock band of the same name.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shape of Despair Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio &... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/shape-of-despair-mn0000743387 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, they believed their new moniker better reflected their sound. In 2000, they signed a deal with [[Spikefarm Records]] and released their debut album ''[[Shades of...]]''<ref Name="Young" /> with Samu Ruotsalainen on drums. The second album ''[[Angels of Distress]]'', released in September 2001, featured [[Pasi Koskinen]] on lead vocals.<ref>{{Citation |title=Angels of Distress - Shape of Despair {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/angels-of-distress-mw0000657065 |access-date=2025-02-04 |language=en}}</ref> [[Sami Uusitalo]] joined in 2002 to play bass for the third album ''[[Illusion's Play]]'' (2004).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shape of Despair - Illusion's Play - Reviews - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/Shape_of_Despair/Illusion's_Play/53532/#reviewAnchor21649 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.metal-archives.com}}</ref> In 2005, the band released a compilation titled ''[[Shape of Despair (album)|Shape of Despair]]'', featuring rare and unreleased material from the group, including tracks from the band's first demo ''Alone in the Mist'' and a new song called “Sleeping Murder”''.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shape Of Despair - Shape Of Despair review |url=https://metalstorm.net/pub/review.php?review_id=1108 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Metal Storm |language=en}}</ref> The album was recorded over a four-day period at Sundicoop Studios in Savonlinna, Finland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2005-02-25 |title=SHAPE OF DESPAIR To Record New Song For Compilation CD |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/shape-of-despair-to-record-new-song-for-compilation-cd |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> After a 5-year lull the band released the EP ''Written in My Scars''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shape of Despair - Written in My Scars - Reviews - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/Shape_of_Despair/Written_in_My_Scars/891650/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.metal-archives.com}}</ref> and a split EP with Before The Rain.<ref>{{Citation |title=Shape Of Despair / Before The Rain - Shape Of Despair / Before The Rain |date=2011-07-20 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3004730-Shape-Of-Despair-Before-The-Rain-Shape-Of-Despair-Before-The-Rain?srsltid=AfmBOopoU25v0Wf6BS9SiXgMOJB1XI-RdmflulF4ECGTSz6bbVOPw3gc |access-date=2025-02-15 |language=en}}</ref> In 2011, Henri Koivula took over vocals from Koskinen.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Shape of Despair Discusses 'Monotony Fields' |url=http://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=115189 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=MetalUnderground.com |language=en}}</ref> Due in part to band members’ competing commitments to other musical projects, there was an 11 year gap between ''Illusion’s Play'' and their next full length album, ''[[Monotony Fields]].'' Additionally, the instruments were recorded separately and months apart.<ref name=":1" /> Released on June 15, 2015, by [[Season of Mist]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.season-of-mist.com/bands/shape-of-despair |title=Shape of Despair (Doom Metal) |publisher=[[Season of Mist]] |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dick |first=Chris |date=2015-08-24 |title=Shape of Despair |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2015/08/24/shape-of-despair/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Decibel Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Monotony Fields'' was hailed by one reviewer as “a great come back” and their best album so far.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SHAPE OF DESPAIR “Monotony Fields” (Review) |url=http://againstmagazine.com/shape-of-despair-monotony-fields-review/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20170825064505/http://againstmagazine.com/shape-of-despair-monotony-fields-review/ |archive-date=2017-08-25 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=againstmagazine.com}}</ref> In 2022, they released ''Return to'' ''the Void,'' which featured almost an hour of music.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolf |first=Sarah de |date=2022-02-24 |title=REVIEW: Shape of Despair - Return to the Void |url=https://tuonelamagazine.com/review-shape-of-despair-return-to-the-void/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Tuonela Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> Some reviewers praised the beauty and artistry of the music but commented that the sound was too monotonous.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Druhm |first=Steel |date=2022-02-25 |title=Shape of Despair - Return to the Void Review |url=https://www.angrymetalguy.com/shape-of-despair-return-to-the-void-review/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Angry Metal Guy |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=Shape Of Despair – Return To The Void – Album Review - Man Of Much Metal |url=http://manofmuchmetal.net/shape-of-despair-return-to-the-void-album-review/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=manofmuchmetal.net |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Butler-Terry |first=Jack |date=2022-02-25 |title=ALBUM REVIEW: Return To The Void - Shape Of Despair |url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-return-to-the-void-shape-of-despair/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Distorted Sound Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> ==Members== ===Current members=== * [[Jarno Salomaa]] – lead guitars <small>(1995–present)</small>, keyboards <small>(1998–present)</small> * Tomi Ullgrén – rhythm guitars <small>(1998–present)</small>, bass <small>(1995–2002)</small> * Natalie Koskinen (formerly known as Natalie Safrosskin) – vocals <small>(1998–present)</small> * [[Sami Uusitalo]] – bass <small>(2002–present)</small> * Henri Koivula – vocals <small>(2011–present)</small> * Samu Ruotsalainen – drums <small>(1999–2015, 2020–present)</small> ===Former members=== * Toni Mäensivu – drums <small>(1995–1999)</small>, vocals <small>(1998–2001)</small> * [[Pasi Koskinen]] – vocals <small>(2001–2010)</small> * Daniel Neagoe – drums <small>(2015–2019)</small> ===Timeline=== {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:120 top:0 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1995 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1995 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1995 Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 Colors = id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:lead value:teal legend:Lead_guitar id:rhythm value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar id:bass value:blue legend:Bass id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:bars value:gray(0.95) id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album id:other value:gray(0.5) legend:Demos/EPs BackgroundColors = bars:bars LineData = at:06/01/2000 color:black layer:back at:09/25/2001 color:black layer:back at:09/27/2004 color:black layer:back at:10/31/2010 color:other layer:back at:06/30/2011 color:other layer:back at:06/15/2015 color:black layer:back at:12/09/2016 color:other layer:back at:02/25/2022 color:black layer:back BarData = bar:Pasi text:"Pasi Koskinen" bar:Henri text:"Henri Koivula" bar:Nat text:"Natalie Koskinen" bar:Jarno text:"Jarno Salomaa" bar:Tomi text:"Tomi Ullgren" bar:Sami text:"Sami Uusitalo" bar:Toni text:"Toni Mäensivu" bar:Samu text:"Samu Ruotsalainen" bar:Dan text:"Daniel Neagoe" PlotData = width:11 bar:Toni from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1998 color:drums bar:Toni from:09/01/1998 till:06/01/1999 color:vocals width:3 bar:Toni from:01/01/1998 till:06/01/1999 color:drums bar:Toni from:06/01/1999 till:05/01/2001 color:vocals bar:Pasi from:05/01/2001 till:12/01/2010 color:vocals bar:Henri from:08/01/2011 till:end color:vocals bar:Nat from:09/01/1998 till:end color:vocals bar:Jarno from:01/01/1995 till:end color:lead bar:Jarno from:01/01/1995 till:09/01/1998 color:rhythm width:3 bar:Jarno from:09/01/1998 till:end color:keys width:3 bar:Tomi from:01/01/1995 till:09/01/1998 color:bass bar:Tomi from:09/01/1998 till:11/01/2002 color:bass width:3 bar:Tomi from:09/01/1998 till:end color:rhythm bar:Sami from:11/01/2002 till:end color:bass bar:Samu from:06/01/1999 till:06/19/2015 color:drums bar:Samu from:07/17/2020 till:end color:drums bar:Dan from:08/15/2015 till:09/19/2019 color:drums }} ==Discography== ===Albums=== * ''Shades of...'' (2000 - Spikefarm Records, Reissued in 2006 by Season of Mist) * ''[[Angels of Distress]]'' (September 25, 2001 - Spikefarm Records, Relapse Records) * ''[[Illusion's Play]]'' (September 27, 2004 - Spikefarm Records, Reissued in 2005 by Season of Mist) * ''[[Monotony Fields]]'' (June 15, 2015 - Season of Mist) * ''Return to the Void'' (February 25, 2022 - Season of Mist) ===EPs=== * ''Written in My Scars'' (October 31, 2010 - Solarfall Records) * ''Shape of Despair / Before the Rain'' (June 30, 2011 - Avantgarde Music) ===Compilation albums=== * ''[[Shape of Despair (album)|Shape of Despair]]'' (August 3, 2005 - Spikefarm Records, Reissued in 2006 by Season of Mist) ===Demos=== * ''Rehearsal I'' (1995, as ''Raven'', instrumental demo with 2 songs) * ''Rehearsal II'' (1995, as ''Raven'', instrumental demo with 5 songs) * ''Alone In The Mist'' (recorded in 1998 as ''Raven'', though never officially released as ''Raven'', released in 2016 by ''Season of Mist'' under ''Shape Of Despair'') * ''Promo 1998'' (1998, as ''Raven'') ==References== <references /> ==External links== *[http://www.shapeofdespair.com/ Official website] *[http://www.myspace.com/shapeofdespair Shape of Despair at Myspace.com] *[http://www.last.fm/music/Shape+of+Despair Shape of Despair at last.fm] {{Shape of Despair}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Shape Of Despair}} [[Category:Finnish doom metal musical groups]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1995]] [[Category:Mixed-gender bands]] [[Category:Season of Mist artists]] [[Category:Funeral doom musical groups]]
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