Shores of Null / Convocation – Latitudes of Sorrow (Split)
Release Date: 21st November 2025
Label: Everlasting Spew Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Doom
FFO: Katatonia, Paradise Lost, Evoken, Esoteric.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Latitudes of Sorrow is a split EP that contains superior doom delivered by 2 bands known for intense, bleak heaviness. The first 3 tracks are by Rome-based outfit Shores of Null and, to be short, it leaves you begging for a full album.
With their gothic death/doom sound, think early Paradise Lost crossed with Woods of Ypres, their 3 tracks begin with ‘An Easy Way’, with immediate vocals back with a standard doom intro, before the main riff expands and the clean vocals begin to soar. It is a track that you will sing along to with joyful abandon, even though the lyrical content is dark and reflective.
‘The White Wound’ follows, and it flows with effortless ease. There is nothing complex in the doom that Shores of Null provide. It is strangely soothing, again, even with the dark content. The mix of dirty and clean vocals works, and it in ‘The White Wound’ that vocalist, Davide Straccione begins to channel his inner Nick Holmes. All very enjoyable.
The best track provided by Shores of Null is their final offering, ‘The Year Without Summer’. Opening with a mournful restraint, the opening riff sounds like pure loss, utter pain. The aggression then kicks in, with a more menacing riff and dirty vocals provided by the excellent Marko Neuman. More of him to follow.
Convocation only contribute 2 tracks to the EP, however they have a longer run time. ‘Abaddon’s Shadow’ kicks off with a gentle opening before Marko Neuman batters you with a disgustingly deep and magnificent growl. Slower, and heavier, than the first 3 tracks, Convocation are here to loosen your bowels. It is unnerving, where Shores of Null soothed, ‘Abaddon’s Shadow’ does the opposite.
All instrumentation is provided by the extremely talented Lauri Laaksonen. The guitar tone that opens the final track, ‘Empty Room’ is exceptional and the construction of the full track is expertly put together. But it is the combination of them both that allow the track to develop, as it tries is best to hurt you in places you never knew could be hurt.
Split EP’s do not always work. Sometimes there is a glaring split between the bands that cannot be overcome. What Everlasting Spew Records have done is link a couple of bands on their roster that work together, delivering an EP that leaves you wanting more from both bands, including a joint tour.
(5 / 5)
