“Shadows” is a ghostly and haunting display of ritualistic, primitive black metal which conjures up a scene of dread and horror in its minimalist delivery. By minimalist, I mean that musically, there is not much going on at all. A high-pitched, distorted guitar overlapped at times by a simple guitar sound and a very basic drum structure are the extent of the instrumentation found on “Shadows.” However, they are complimented by some of the most criminally insane and possessed vocals I’ve ever heard. Imagine that Dagon from Inquisition and Reagan from the first Exorcist movie were fused together and you’re on to something. Gurgling, tortured and just plain evil sounding.

The album opens with the track “Orlok” which begins with the sound of a rainstorm and a single chord being strummed over and over with the echoing, disturbed vocals growing louder and louder in the background. I’m envisioning being in a forest at night in the rain and hearing this inhuman voice coming from the darkness all around me. Soon the drums start in and the simple chord changes to a steady rhythm which transforms the song into a highly melancholic show of despair.

The next track, “Omens from the Mist,” reveals the slightly aggressive side of the album with a faster beat, but still alternating back and forth to the repetitive note-picking that we’ll hear several more times.

Throughout the rest of the album, more ambience will come to the surface as will some eerie, whispered chanting that has the effect of sounding like a voice in the wind which lends chilling credence to the band name itself. Clearly, choosing the name Wraith was not just a dart-throw to the proverbial drawing board of “evil” sounding names. This album is entirely wraith-like in its approach and delivery. However, at times while focusing on the vocals alone, I imagine some psychopathic lunatic, crouched in the corner of a cement cell wearing an old, ripped up straight jacket stained with blood and vomit, gurgling and spewing out the vocals to this album. A single light bulb attached to a cord high above the room, sways and flickers.

Lyrically, “Shadows” dwells on dark unholiness and mystical imagery and the like. The cover is a hand drawn, surreal scene of some banshee looking revenant figure emerging from the ground, arms outstretched with what appears to be dozens of lifeless faces attached to the arms in what I can only perceive as souls that this apparition has collected. Full lyrics are included as well.

Overall, “Shadows” is quite a ghastly and unnerving experience when listened to under the right frame of mind. Put your headphones on and turn off the lights.