The Duskfall - The Everlasting Shadows The Duskfall

Following the digital arrival of their long-awaited sixth album earlier this year, Swedish melodic death metal stalwarts The Duskfall are bringing the acclaimed "The Everlasting Shadows" to physical formats. The journey toward this album has been anything but easy, representing a decade-long saga of perseverance.

Formed in 1999 following the dissolution of Gates of Ishtar, The Duskfall built a reputation for staying true to the "old school" Swedish sound while remaining distinct from the modern metal landscape. However, the path to "The Everlasting Shadows" was nearly derailed by a series of profound personal tragedies and mental health struggles faced by frontman Mikael Sandorf.

Reflecting on the raw emotional weight behind the record, Mikael Sandorf shared a candid perspective on the creation process. "The everlasting shadows... This album almost didn't happen," Sandorf admitted. "First of all, I would like to thank all our fans for your everlasting patience and support during all these years when there was only silence coming out of our part of the woods! These last 10 years have been a long personal struggle for me, with Oscar's and then my brother Jannes' death really taking a huge toll on my mental energy and enthusiasm for everything in life. Adding to that, my wife got diagnosed with cancer and in a short period of time, we have also lost two more close family members."

Sandorf continued to explain how his usual creative outlet became a source of pressure during these difficult years. "I hope that you can understand my frustration when the thing I usually have always found joy and solace from became a dread that only produced stress and anxiety for me. This album became such a monster to slay and an effort that I thought would never bring me anything but bad memories and regret. Now, with a newfound passion for music and as I listen through the songs of the album, I am so damn proud of what we have accomplished. Every beat, chug, growl and note bears a purpose, and I am so grateful for Anton's relentless whip cracking of our backs and Sebastian's tremendous effort in mixing this album."

Regarding the physical release via The Circle Music, Sandorf said: "We are so proud and happy that we are finally able to release this juggernaut of an album through the fine people of The Circle Music in Greece. They are the perfect match of dedication and professionalism that will give this album the support it so well deserves. We can't wait for you guys to have this album in your hands! Stay forever fallen!"

Recorded primarily in a home studio environment, "The Everlasting Shadows" was produced by the band and brought to its final, lethal form through the mixing and mastering work of Sebastian Lindgren at Abianaudio. The album features nine tracks of melodic death metal. The current lineup, which Sandorf considers the strongest to date, features Mikael Sandorf on vocals, Ronny Edlund on guitar, Patrik Forlund on lead guitar, Anton Lindback on bass, and Sebastian Lindgren on drums.

If you cherish the old melodic Swedish death metal sound wrapped in a modern production, do not miss this one! Honest, instinctive, and fiercely alive death metal gathered in an album that almost never came to be.