Dreams of Consciousness Podcast Episode 218 features an interview with Jarno Salomaa of Shape of Despair.

Shape of Despair excel in crafting music that's slow, oppressive, and bleak, but also beautiful in its icy, unsentimental way. Melody and atmosphere comingle with doomy chord progressions, just as the soaring vocals of Natalie Koskinen shares space with Henri Koivula's deep growl.

I spoke with founder/guitarist Jarno Salomaa about the history of Shape of Despair, and how his passion for music keeps him returning to the project. We also discussed how their latest album Return to the Void began with the search for the right guitar tone, and how Shape of Despair relates to the "funeral doom" genre.

My thanks to Jarno for speaking with me, and to all of you for listening.

Music In This Episode:

"Fragile Emptiness"

taken from the album Illusion's Play

"Forfeit"

"Dissolution"

taken from the album Return to the Void

"In Longing"

taken from the album Monotony Fields

Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com