Somehow I stumbled over one-man army IN SHADOWS AND DUST last year, after he released his second full-length "Messe Noire" so I was quite curious to hear the new and third album "A Fleur De Peau" and honestly was not disappointed at all. After the stormy intro ‘A Fleur De Peau’ with fine keyboard tunes, the opener ‘Hate’ comes up with all trademarks, this project is standing for. The fundament somehow still is melodic Swedish Death / Black Metal, painted Death by the classic Swedish HM-2 sound. Stephane Thirion has a fine sense for songwriting and melodies and does it well, not just to decide for one of the styles but cleverly combines both. Sometimes it sounds even a bit grinded and is a totally good combination of all trademarks of Swedish Death Metal. The guitars are thick, powerful and groovy and the drumming is really tight and the pounding double-bass really kicks some serious ass. ‘Betrayal’ continues the groovy direction and especially his hateful caws are really enjoyable and fit perfect into this tight picture. Stephane’s fine sense for good lead melodies, enriches every track on this good self-financed album. ‘All Is Black’ sounds like a blackened version of NASUM while the lead melody reminds me of classic melodic Death / Black before turning again into classic old school Death Metal. The production is tight and powerful and the occasionally appearing keyboards also fit well into the tracks. All Instruments can be heared perfectly and the mix is killer. Enriched by a really dark but well fitting cover artwork, this project is worth to check and this third album is definitely another huge step forward. For more info about IN SHADOWS AND DUST, check out www.facebook.com/inshadowsanddust or for a physical copy of the album www.inshadowsanddust.com

French based IN SHADOWS AND DUST are hard to grasp. Black or Death Metal? The band’s name may hint to KATAKLYSM and their classic tune ‘Shadows And Dust’, but that is the wrong track. The eleven songs (plus intro) could be most likely compared to the melodic Black / Death Metal of bands like DISSECTION, NAGLFAR or UNANIMATED. And early IN FLAMES. I insist on the word early, because after a certain point (some time at the turn of the century) being compared to IN FLAMES turned from compliment to insult. For the most time "A Fleur De Peau", which can be translated with a term like hypersensitivity, sounds like a improved version of early NECROPHOBIC. Improved in the meaning of production and sound, which is clear and powerful. Since violins and piano (except for the intro and a few other moments) and similar symphonic elements like female vocals, spoken words or extravagant songwriting are missing the songs are kept straight and simple. Let the music respectively the riffs do the talking. How to describe the vocals? Kind of shrieky grunting, vicious but not too hateful. One fact about IN SHADOWS AND DUST left me dazzled and confused. Is this a one-man project? Obviously, all the more surprising is the brilliant work. All around the globe bands spent lots of money and manpower and time to record and produce Metal, but this one guy Stephane Thirion outpaced many bands. Still wondering what the latest MORBID ANGEL would sound like with such a distinct and compelling production. If you are devoted to that special blend of melodic Swedish Death Metal above mentioned bands are known for do not hesitate. The third album by IN SHADOWS AND DUST is available digital and in CD digipak format here: https://inshadowsanddust.bandcamp.com, www.facebook.com/inshadowsanddust