Review by Alex on May 9, 2022.

From thin air and deep within the whiff of rawest decomposition, spawned into existence is a most strange split LP between a now growing faction and an underground titan. Out through Selfmadegod Records is one of the most unexpected relationships, Encoffination and Rotting Kingdom split LP. A 4 track journey through rough, melancholic and accursed territory with Rotting Kingdom who only a while ago released one of the best melodic death/doom records and the monstrous Encoffination who unleashed upon the earth a most destructive burial chant, have come to usher in Wretched Enigma Of Salvation.

To start things off we have Rotting Kingdom gracefully offering their sacrifice in the form of the melancholic 'Misery Eternal' and the more agonizing, 'The Road Of Grief Ashes'. At first encounter it is easily noticeable that the songwriting has improved tremendously for Rotting Kingdom, not as if their prior efforts had been sub par, but the melodies and their seamless incorporation intertwined with the atmosphere is so soothing yet keeping with the expectation of what melodic death doom is, this rhythmic carnival sets the tempo excellently only for Encoffination to come along and pour a pile of bones and burnt flesh unto the tear soaked landscape.

Justin Stubbs continues to leave unbelievers speechless with his funeral movements and timings when it comes to applying the trance of exhalation within death metal. Anyone familiar with the desecration he has been involved in with the likes of Grave Upheaval would expect nothing less from one of death metal's most advanced and adept demigods. The scope and outlook of the record changes drastically from progressively bleak and bitter to a downright ugly formation via the howling gasps Justin greets the listener with. Totnally changing grey skies to a black fucking overcast of nothing. 'Glorious Decomposition' and 'Agonal Soul' overwrite easily the grief smeared by Rotting Kingdom due to the atmospheric tonality and sonic weight these tracks carry. Rotting Kingdom's work is great here but the godhand of Encoffination is too prolific to test. Thus, what was created here cannot be overlooked at any point in time. The highest degree and proficiency in death metal take stage for the listeners pleasure.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Alex on March 2, 2020.

Rotting Kingdom independently put out a 3 track EP self-titled Rotting Kingdom in 2017, that once heard, felt as though one was being caped by the soundscapes the band produced. It sprouted a chapter of wonder and alarm though within the band's infant steps unto the massive fields of the genre. With just one listen you could tell Rotting Kingdom had been called to do justice unto the genre. Some years since the EP was released has gone-by, and on the winds of the past was rode the expectation of continuation. The foundation had already been laid by the quintet, thus said, it would only seem right they began the process of building upon such. Their sorrowful sirens rippling through the hemisphere of death/doom is now awoken again making landfall with the latest and easily the best output by Rotting Kingdom, A Deeper Shade of Sorrow. With a comforting improvement and transition towards multi-elemental songwriting, this harvest of rot is the bands most musically compelling yield. Two years spent gardening and putting the definitive touches and implementations to their music has been rewarding where A Deeper Shade of Sorrow is concerned. The impact of their debut EP has been magnified to such scale that the music here towers threateningly in demolishing pose above their past oeuvre.

Taken from the photographic angle of an American death metal manghir, then continuously remolded to situate itself within the Finnish death/doom metal demesne of bitter sadness, the transmogrified 'Barren Harvest' is what I'd say is the best song in Rotting Kingdom's discography. Possessing a range of grabbing emotional content in its 7-minute duration, this track alone is worth getting A Deeper Shade of Sorrow. You sense a band on the verge of evolution as you progress through the bold steps it takes towards landmark-esque branches within the genre of death/doom metal; the quintet makes it clear to all, they are not afraid to tackle the traditional regions of the genre. In-turn, this bravery and effectiveness of wrapping together melodic death/doom with the traditional fabric of death metal, mirrors a band certain of their identity and ability. It was indeed a well-received surprise considering A Deeper Shade of Sorrow appeared to be tracing the artistry of their debut judging by the album opener, 'Sculpted Into Life By The Hand Of Death' which keyed-in the compositional facets of Rotting Kingdom's music. Those burdensome, yet goring vocals of frontman Anton Escobar combined with the three way tag team of Chuck (bass), Clay (Guitars), Kyle (Guitars) and the heartfelt hammering of Brandon mapped out a detailed near perfect debut of a full length not only providing a clear musical temperature, but enforced but a road map of what other elements would soon become fundamentals of Rotting Kingdom's music.

The guitaring is something-else on A Deeper Shade of Sorrow, they represent the album title with engraved showings of despondency and despair heard on aforementioned 'Sculpted into Life by the Hand of Death' and the explosive 'Barren Harvest', but sustains the urbane motion through weeping to overpowering passages heard on the black metal fueled 'Absolute Ruin'. The string-work feel exacting and extract of the artwork thus bringing the atmosphere to life even on the mysteriously eerie yet progressively bluesy closing segment of 'The Antechambers of Eternity'. Rotting Kingdom dug deep within themselves to weave a profound album that many inquisitive ears will love once they get the chance to own and experience. A Deeper Shade of Sorrow is as the title suggests by means of improvements made to embolden and empower their music; however, proceeds to demonstrate diligent song writing development, whereby Rotting Kingdom as a band can breathe freely and not tie themselves to the limitations of a style or format. A Deeper Shade of Sorrow is the polishing of antiquity to glisten with crystalline reflection.

Rating: 9 out of 10