Since forming nearly twenty years ago, The Foreshadowing has sustained itself as a leading force in the Gothic Doom Metal world. Out of Italy, the band was a surprise newcomer back in 2007 with the release of the debut album Days of Nothing. From here they steadily and consistently released compelling albums between 2010’s Oionos and 2012’s Second World. Making their live debut in front of Noth American audiences in the winter of 2013 in support of Moonspell, a broader audience became aware of The Foreshadowing’s dark brand of Metal as they moved forward into 2016’s Seven Heads, Ten Horns.
A band that fits more comfortably alongside Gothic Doom bands like Paradise Lost, mid-era Anathema, or My Dying Bride, The Foreshadowing provided audiences with an alternative to more dramatic forms of Gothic Metal dominating the scene in the late 2000s. Now many years later, some changes have followed The Foreshadowing. To begin with, long-time Guitarist Andrea Chiodetti departed in 2019 and has since formed MMXX.
Beyond this, The Foreshadowing has gone eight years without releasing a full-length album. Something that could put them in the back of many listeners’ minds, fortunately, it has not been a complete dry special… because they did release a single in 2022, plus the five-track EP Forsaken Songs in 2023. Looking at this for a moment, Forsaken Songs had a lot of intrigue, which makes the forthcoming New Wave Order filled with curiosity.
The Foreshadowing’s long-awaited fifth studio album, New Wave Order arrives on November 15, 2024 through Germany’s Lifeforce Records. A new home for the band, who remained independent of a label for some time, the burning question is – was the lull period a blow to memento? To answer that right away, no, because New Wave Order possesses a rich tapestry of dark, moody tones synonymous with The Foreshadowing.
Still led by co-founders Vocalist Marco Benevento, Keyboardist Francesco Sosto, and Guitarist Alessandro Pace, there is also Giuseppe Orlando on drums since 2013. With the core remaining in place, so are the key songwriters in Benevento, Sosto, and Pace. As a collective, they put together a group of songs reminiscent of older material, but also with tints of progression. Drawn out over nine songs, pre-releases such as “Lobbies” and “Judas Had A Friend” are a good glimpse into New Wave Order, but it is only the beginning. “Judas Had A Friend” carefully drafts melodies with the guitars and keyboards that resonate deeply, whereas “Lobbies” is a slow build that explodes into a simply haunting chorus.
These singles explained, the textures of “Vox Populi,” the mesmerizing nature of “Our Nightmares Call,” and the cinematic elements of “Heraclitus” are just several more examples of where New Wave Order excels. In truth, the album creates such an atmosphere that you cannot help but be taken in further with each echoing note. The pace is even, the compositions thoughtfully laid out, but there are even some unexpected twists and turns as heard with “Eyes Of A Dawn.”
Overall, New Wave Order proves that The Foreshadowing is still one of the best active Gothic Doom Metal bands. An album that will please their dedicated fans and hopefully turn on a whole new group of listeners, Cryptic Rock gives New Wave Order 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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