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• Published Thu 10 Sep 2026 - π Copy short link
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So here we have the third studio full length from the mighty CIRITH UNGOL since their reunion. An album that brings to the forefront a bet that has already been won, one that has to do both with the longevity and the true significance of the bandβs return:
The band returned in 2015 and within a decade has given us one single, one EP, three full-lengths and one live album, along with countless live appearances. In no way, then, are we talking about a one-night reunion, something that in itself carries a special weight, especially if we consider that the UNGOL story began back in 1971 and that, after their first split in 1992, they eventually managed not only to return, but to return and stay. In this new era of their existence, they have more than adequately proven themselves on the recording front. The listener has the luxury of comparing the albums released so far during the reunion period and, within that process, I can confidently say that βAll the Shadowsβ is the most stunning of the three albums the band has given us since 2020.
As is well known, the guitar duo of Jim Barraza and Greg Lindstrom, which undoubtedly sealed the bandβs return and provided a strong link to its glorious past, is no longer part of the lineup. The esteemed Armand John Anthony (NIGHT DEMON) is now called upon to step into their shoes and carry the CIRITH UNGOL edifice on his shoulders as the bandβs sole guitarist. And while all these changes naturally raise a number of questions and possible doubts regarding the new material, a single, solitary first listen to the album eliminates every grey area and puts things clearly into perspective, not only when it comes to the unparalleled quality of the material, but also when it comes to the bandβs wise decision to focus on a specific stylistic direction which, above all, highlights the new and absolutely functional lineup, proving that the music of CIRITH UNGOL is a living organism in its own right.
The band returns, to a great extent, to its 70s roots, which lay the foundation for that dystopian, chaotic and pitch-black atmosphere that the band itself developed throughout the 80s, following its own heretical path:
Slow-burning compositions, massive riffing and perhaps the most breathtaking leads and solos we have heard from the band in the last decade.
I want to make a special point of the twin-guitar passages, which bring out that unmistakable CIRITH UNGOL character that made us fall in love with this band in the first place. The melodies of futility are once again present, and the listener once again finds himself on familiar paths⦠leading into the unknown chaos.
A special mention must also be made of the decisive role played by Robert Garvenβs drumming on the material of this particular album. Carefully crafted patterns, precise hits and accents on every drum, along with perfectly measured dynamics, give every track an absolutely solid character.
I will openly admit it: I am genuinely having a hard time picking individual tracks from this album. It plays as a whole every time, and the result is always the same: an unknown journey into the world of dark chaos, a world that only this band knows how to create and build.
Based on everything above, let me repeat that I believe the decision to build most of the songs around slow-burning riffing was by no means accidental. The foundation of the compositions creates the necessary space for the new guitarist to fill with melodies, and I am of course referring to those shadowy melodies that have always been the trademark of UNGOL.
The CIRITH 70s universe as the foundation β was the recent vinyl reissue of the β78 demo (The Orange Album) a coincidence? Maybe not. And from there, the βKing of The Deadβ / βOne Foot In Hellβ legacy becomes the main point of reference throughout every song. This is βAll the Shadows.β
Oh, and yes, Tim Baker sings as if there is no tomorrow. What did you expect?
Chris Papadakis
The seventh studio album by the iconic pioneers of dark, epic heavy metal, the ONE AND ONLY, true metal legends, CIRITH UNGOL.
The album is titled βAll The Shadowsβ, and in my opinion, it is the heavy metal album of the year so far β and it will be VERY hard for any release to come along and dethrone it from the top spot.
Allow me to quote a few words from the promo material to justify this statement:
ββAll The Shadowsβ is a classic CIRITH UNGOL album in every sense of the word. Furthermore, it is not an exaggeration that this album is one of the bandβs strongest efforts ever! Few bands can claim that they recorded a record equal to their older, established and classic albums, and even fewer can support a solid statement that a new album after decades can look in the eyes, or even top, their classic albums. CIRITH UNGOL actually did it. This album was the culmination of their desire to keep forging their unique brand of true metal.β
I wouldnβt change a single word of the above.
βAll The Shadowsβ arrives in harsh, difficult and dystopian times for humanity, and with rare musical grandeur, it lays bare their ugliness as well as the great dream of their chaotic undoing.
Within this eternal turning of the wheel of time, what is missing from the new CIRITH UNGOL album?
Letβs not hide from the truth.
Jim Barraza and Greg Lindstrom are no longer in the bandβs ranks, and we are talking about guitarists who defined the sound of CIRITH UNGOL, particularly since their reunion around ten years ago and throughout this later chapter of their career, after the βWitchβs Gameβ single in β18 and the amazing live album βIβm Aliveβ, where we first heard them alongside Robert Garven (drums), Jarvis Leatherby (bass) and Tim Baker (vocals).
If there is something I miss about their guitars, it is the wise, expansive weight of their rhythm playing and that sweet, old-school, deeply expressive tone that stood out in the lead parts.
What, however, manages to make the absence of Barraza and Lindstrom less noticeable, almost imperceptible? None other than the magic touch of Armand John Anthony (NIGHT DEMON), who, from βForever Blackβ onwards, gave real substance to the sonic character of CIRITH UNGOL, taking on engineering and mixing, and later mastering as well. The fact that he is now their replacement as the bandβs guitarist is no coincidence at all, and I consider it an exceptionally sound choice β anyone can judge by the result, which fully vindicated the decision to bring him into the line-up.
photo by Nicolas Bremm
So, what remains unwaveringly faithful and unchanged on this new CIRITH UNGOL album?
First and foremost, their identity. Their compositional expression. Their own expression of metal β the kind they know how to create and deliver in THEIR OWN, UNIQUE way. βAll The Shadowsβ is an album that not only has absolutely nothing to envy in the catalogue of this historic band but, yes, it is indeed yet another very special jewel in the crown of their select discography.
And, of course, the AMAZING cover artwork was β once again β painted by the great Michael Whelan, whose works have continuously adorned CIRITH UNGOL albums since the very beginning of the band and their 1981 debut βFrost And Fireβ.
The album begins with the title track, βAll The Shadowsβ, which was chosen as the recordβs first single. There are no cheap tricks or gimmicks here β the taste we got on September 4th with the songβs official lyric video was genuine and could be felt right down to the marrow!
Pure, unadulterated, old-school steel with a sound that is utterly alive!
It made me impatient to hear the rest and, thankfully, I am one of the lucky ones to have the albumβs songs in my hands before its official release, because the shock of βAll The Shadowsβ was keeping me awake at night!
Next on the tracklist comes βThis Mortal Stainβ, slow-burning, heavy, bittersweet in melody, with an excellent solo and a satisfying running time of over five and a half minutes.
The relentless pounding of dark heaviness in the inimitable CIRITH UNGOL style continues with βTurning Blindβ, a song with understated yet captivating virtuosity in its composition, filled with raw power, with a sense of menace you can feel vibrating through every scream of the ASTOUNDING Tim Baker, while Armand John Anthony delivers a masterclass in expression both in the rhythm and lead guitar parts.
Robert Garven and Jarvis Leatherby introduce us in fantastic fashion to βShallow Reflectionβ, where the riffs that follow carry a distinct doom flavour, yet another of the incomparable manifestations of CIRITH UNGOLβs heavy metal, a track that is a trademark of their sound β theirs and THEIRS ALONE! Shattering, dramatic, running for more than six minutes, with a wonderful unfolding and a beautiful, dynamic outburst before the finale.
Anyone who would buy one of the many vinyl editions will, somewhere around here, lift the needle and flip the record over before continuing their adventure through the breathtaking, misty and murky soundscapes of βAll the Shadowsβ with the incredible βEmpty Tombβ. Exquisite in its development, particularly in the interplay of rhythm and speed, with relentless guitars, magnificent riffs and a formidable rhythmic backbone working together in harmonious and exemplary fashion, declaring here in 2026 that the flames of the old, good, true sound of metal will never be extinguished as long as there are bands out there like CIRITH UNGOL.
Next comes the EPIC, slow, melancholic and majestic βOn Broken Wingsβ, where Anthonyβs moving guitar playing sent shivers down my spine, Bakerβs voice, literally haunting, reached deep into my very soul, and that SABBATH-esque gallop around the fifth minute, with the solo pouring forth in glorious melody, transported me somewhere else once again βI found myself caught in a whirlwind of memories of that wild, adolescent warmth of the β80s, when I first heard CIRITH UNGOL and was enchanted by their sound, forever.
What an INCREDIBLE feeling this journey through time is!
During βHollow Nimbusβ, I got to my feet with my headphones on and started headbanging! A 70s-style elegiac track, quite prog in conception, with clever passages and beautiful shifts, and the band in tremendous form as performers! A wonderful track, yet another trademark of CIRITH UNGOLβs compositional mindset.
The album closes with βVenus In Thirdsβ, in a heavy, intensely rhythmic style, with Leatherbyβs bass cleverly flirting with Anthonyβs guitar, Baker unleashing chaos from his throat, a spectacular metal pandemonium, ideal for bringing down the curtain.
βThis is the bands next chapter, describing mankindβs descent into darkness and despair! Tim Baker is the Nostradamus of our time,β says Robert Garven.
And who am I to disagree?
As for Tim Baker himself, he states:
ββAll the Shadowsβ is the latest step along the twisted journey that defines CIRITH UNGOL*. Tales of blackened hearts and broken dreams. Echoes of madness, corruption, sin, demented visions and unspeakable horror. Manβs dystopian future laid bareβ¦ The continued saga of our never-ending descent into the dark parade.β
Iβll give that a big, emphatic YES!
And Iβll close, just as I did when I was called upon to write a few words about the previous CIRITH UNGOL album, βDark Paradeβ, three years ago:
If youβre one of the devoted, answer the call, arise, and follow the Chaos Star once again; and if youβre somehow a stranger to CIRITH UNGOLβs music, this is your shot at glory: JOIN THE LEGION!
βAll The Shadowsβ will be released by No Remorse Records, in various CD and LP editions, a limited CD Box Set and a hand-numbered, deluxe 3D cover Box Set containing all physical formats, on October 30th.
CIRITH UNGOL is a very special case of a heavy metal band. In 2026, it will be almost 55 years, since their initial formation in 1971. Their moniker carries a long and heavy history, especially in the realm of epic heavy metal.
The band had a hiatus from 1992 till 2015, when they reformed again in order to live a very strong and glorious second era, which brought great joy to their loyal fans who never forgot them. The new album is their 7th one.
The new album carries all the distinct characteristics of their unique sound. It will be no exaggeration to say that when a listener listens to one of their songs, will instantly understand that this is definitely a CIRITH UNGOL song. Of course, this is also due to the exceptional and inimitable style of vocals from Tim Baker.
So, in 2026, what new or different CIRITH UNGOL bring with their album?
Well, first of all, they offer 8 new songs that are added magnificently to their music legacy. But this is not the most exciting about their new one.
ββAll The Shadowsββ takes a deep dive in to their long history and combines new ideas with features from their first era, from their second and all-time favorite album ββKing of the Deadββ until to their fourth and last album from this era, titled ββParadise Lostββ.
The new album can look straight in the eyes their classic β80s albums. Donβt get me wrong, the 2020 ββForever Blackββ album was a great come back album with iconic songs and the 2023 ββDark Paradeββ album another great chapter in their heritage.
In comparison to their previous 2023 album, I would say that the new one, while lurking in the usual beautiful chaotic shadows and being ominous and eccentric, has a different kind of darkness that makes it more straightforward for the listener to comprehend, absorb or digest.
ββAll The Shadowsββ is a more direct, riff driven album, with memorable hooks and black melodies. The careful listener will listen a lot of BLACK SABBATH influences and riffs that bring in mind Tony Iommiβs way of writing memorable riffs. Listen to ββShallow Reflectionββ and you will instantly understand what Iβm talking about.
The team of CIRITH UNGOL presents themselves today very tight, with the veteran and original member from day one, drummer Robert Garven as well as the most recent members like the bassist Jarvis Leatherby and their newest addition, the guitarist Armand John Anthony.
To make a long story short, this is a classic CIRITH UNGOL album. I believe, the album in its entirety is the best so far in their second era and will be hailed and appreciated as one of the top-notch albums in their long history. I have real confidence that the test of time will justify my certainty about it.
Last but not least, I have to mention something about the great cover work from the acclaimed fantasy artist Michael Whelan. The title of the painting is ββReturn of the King of the Deadββ and this all about what we have with the new album from CIRITH UNGOL.
We have the mighty return of the Kings of the Dead!
Bersekeros
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One does not simply review a new CIRITH UNGOL albumβ¦
CIRITH UNGOL, has always been a particular kind of band: they dwelled in the eighties both into epic and doom metal, alongside with legends like MANILLA ROAD, TROUBLE, SAINT VITUS, LORDS OF THE CRIMSON ALLIANCE, far from the madding crowd of 80βs classic metal, always alone, yet with a solemn dignity that could rarely be found during that time. Just like King Fowley (I think and correct me if I am wrong) said, many people despised them since there was no other band to compare them with.
With the resurrection of the band seven years ago, a new breed of albums arose from the darkness. This one, is the third album of the new age of CIRITH UNGOL, three years after the magnificent βDark Paradeβ. And as someone could predict, βThe Kingβ continues the road that was curved a long time ago.
βAll the Shadowsβ kicks off with the title track a typical UNGOL βfast and rawβ tune a throwback to the bandβs early days and this is only the beginning:
The βside Metalβ* is a homage to the bandβs βOne foot in Hellβ songwriting with slow, mockingly cruelsome doomy tracks, that spout despair and nocturnity. Riffing of βThis Mortal Stainβ dates back to the very first βFrost and Fireβ days (donβt forget CIRITH UNGOL are not children of the 80βs), while βTurning Blindβ and βShallow Reflectionβ depict a more aggressive heavy doom side of the band.
βSide Doomβ* begins with βEmpty tombβ witch apparently is my favorite track of the album. A mid-tempo, doomy yet straight metal song with a twist, that clocks less than four minutes, exactly what I needed. βOn Broken Wingsβ is the true highlight of the album: lengthy, doomy with an acoustic intro that slowly progresses into a nightmarish hymn of despair, similar to the ones in the βKing of the Deadβ album. βHollow Nimbusβ is another doom metal, guitar driven song, witch actually reminded me of βFallen Idolβ and βDistant Shadowsβ from the previous album.
Last but not least βVenus in Thirdsβ a different take on CIRITH UNGOLβs doom sound. With a twisty intro that reminded me of MERCYFUL FATE / KING DIAMOND aesthetic (yes you read correctly) yet with the typical βheavy/doomβ sound that CIRITH UNGOL have developed during the last years. Needless to say that this one has the catchier chorus, somehow making it a more βcommercialβ song if one could say that.
So whatβs left? I donβt now, frankly I am in loss of words. Me spending my afternoon enjoying the new CIRITH UNGOL album was a dream, back in the 90βs when I bought the CD re-release of βOne Foot in Hellβ. I believe that its a privilege for us to enjoy such music in this dismal times, where everything is done for the βhypeβ. I sure hope that this one keeps up for a long, long time.
*vinyl side titles are a figure of my own.
Zippo
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