photo by Graham Marcy
“…the word ‘crushing’ comes to mind, but sometimes that word seems too timid for the intensity of SHRINEBURNER’s Hymns Of Despair…” – No Clean Singing
Hymns Of Despair, the debut album from Chicago-based sludge metal outfit SHRINEBURNER, is now streaming exclusively at No Clean Singing, ahead of its release this Friday.
SHRINEBURNER frequently explores dark topics like general worthlessness in a dying world, organized religion being an ever-growing plague, and the general anxieties of existence on the album; however, musically, the band remains melodic, at times even uplifting. These factors are more present than ever before on Hymns Of Despair, the album rupturing with emotive devastation; well-felt dregs of hope within an earthmoving flow of brutalizing auditory collapse. This juxtaposition of themes offers listeners a trance-like sensory experience, especially live with the full power of the band’s crushing volume truly endured.
Hymns Of Despair was recorded and mixed by Matt Russell at Altered States in Chicago, mastered by Edward Hamel at Identity Mastering, and completed with cover art painted by Joshua Hondros. Fans of Conan, Ufomammut, Amarok, Hush, Evoken, Black Shape Of Nexus, Usnea, and Iron Monkey are advised to hear SHRINEBURNER’s Hymns Of Despair.
SHRINEBURNER’s Peter Norman states, “We’re really thrilled with the collaborative foot we’ve put forward with this release, encapsulating our most raw and powerful emotions as a collective, while staying true to our roots. There is truly no greater feeling than releasing genuine music that amplifies our emotions and brings community together. Whether it’s monstrous riffs, meaningful lyrics, or just pure anger that you’re after—this record has something for everyone. We hope to see you at a show in the future and thank you all so much, from the bottom of our hearts, for your support.”
No Clean Singing writes within their extensive review of the album adjoining their advance stream, “References to earthquakes and glaciers in motion are fitting because SHRINEBURNER’s riffs are often colossally heavy, powerfully surging, and ruinous. They deploy a ‘wall of amps’ sound that seems to shudder the earth like the movement of tectonic plates and to bring massive avalanches rumbling and racing down from enormous escarpments. Of course, the word ‘crushing’ comes to mind, but sometimes that word seems too timid for the intensity of SHRINEBURNER’s Hymns Of Despair… The momentum of the music is dynamic — as already hinted at, sometimes it moves like an avalanche, at other times it staggers and crawls, and at other times it proceeds like a grim, mid-paced march. But at all times it connects with a listener’s reptile brain, the part that gets you moving without thinking about it.”
Listen to SHRINEBURNER’s Hymns Of Despair early only at No Clean Singing RIGHT HERE.
SHRINEBURNER will independently release Hymns Of Despair this Friday, September 11th digitally and on CD, with a vinyl pressing to follow later. Find preorders HERE and digital presaves HERE, and watch the video for “Bodies Dragged To Sunlight” HERE.
Having played with the likes of Conan, Rifflord, Telekinetic Yeti, Stinking Lizaveta, Modern Life Is War, Minsk, Junius, Aseethe, among others, SHRINEBURNER is currently booking shows in support of the album.
Crushing riffs and seething melodies drive the earthquake-inducing trio SHRINEBURNER, spewing forth a sonic glacier of abyssal doom/sludge metal infused with fringes of psychedelic, cosmic, blackened elements. With a heavy focus on music that is constantly building and riffs that mesmerize audiences, the trio has carved out their own niche in Chicago’s ever-present metal scene. Audiences have come to expect a wall of amps, searing guitar and bass tones, heavily stricken drums, and pummeling vocals.
SHRINEBURNER formed in 2023 as a creative outlet for guitarist/vocalist Peter Norman and drummer Brent Favata, focusing heavily on a wall-of-sound approach to mantra-like riff writing. This, coupled with a general disdain for the evils of organized religion, resulted in the 2024 release of their debut EP, Solitude.
Eventually opting for a fuller approach, and with Favata’s other projects becoming more demanding, Norman expanded the band to a trio. With the addition of CJ Johnson on bass, and Edward Hamel taking over on drums, 2025 was a big year of growth for SHRINEBURNER. A more dynamic and fleshed-out approach was immediately evident, while still retaining the mantra-like sounds listeners had grown to expect. The group very quickly began to write what would eventually become their first full-length release, which now arrives with Hymns Of Despair.
photo by Tom Birch
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The post SHRINEBURNER: No Clean Singing Hosts Exclusive Stream Of Hymns Of Despair, The Vicious Debut LP From Chicago Sludge Metal Trio; Album To Be Released This Friday first appeared on Earsplit Compound.