“In The Shadow Of Your Shadow” Review
2026 has been a colossal year for post metal fans! Especially when you consider Neurosis making a triumphant return out of nowhere with their first album in a decade, or The Ocean also returning with a brand new album in September. Who could forget Russian Circles’ ninth album Nine? Though when it comes to post metal, Cult Of Luna are the band all others in the genre are measured against and aspire to be like! Or so we’re told. How does their latest opus In The Shadow Of Your Shadow (ITSOYS) compare to these blockbuster releases?
The Swedish act have graced the stages of Hellfest, Brutal Assault, Roadburn, and many more, bringing an incredible live show that’s the envy of musicians the world over in the process. UK fans will have been able to witness this at this year’s ArcTanGent, as they collaborated with Julie Christmas in a very rare Mariner set. They return to the UK in November to headline Damnation Festival’s main stage, which will likely lean heavily into this 9 track offering. Which of these songs can realistically challenge established fan favourites in their setlist? Let’s find out…
In truth, ITSOYS is a slow burner. It’s not one for those wanting a quick dopamine hit. Songs regularly hovering over the 10 minute mark will deter casual listeners whilst simultaneously acting as the greenest of green flags for those wanting something more substantial from their music, or those seeking a much deeper immersive dive into a world of music a long, long way from the well beaten path. Cult Of Luna have never been one for conventional song structures, and the landscape of ITSOYS is constantly changing. Perhaps best illustrated with the album’s title track, which also opens up the album.
Driven by just the synths and keys at the outset, the mood is austere, mysterious, cinematic. Though the calm is shattered by the drums imposing themselves onto the mix, not long before the crunch of the distorted guitars joins in. There are teases of melody in the latter stages of the song, but this largely remains a groove-laden affair. The band have opened their recent sets with ‘Cold Burn’; if they chose to open their set list with ‘In The Shadow Of Your Shadow’, that would be a fine choice! The tension that is built up never quite fully resolves and it feels as though the peak of the album is still yet to come.
Does that come in another groovy number ‘Sadness Will Reign’? Not quite, even if the appearance of Gojira’s Joe Duplantier adds instant credibility to an already well established name. No, the album reaches its zenith in ‘Breach’.
The song begins in a realm of slow ambience and psychedelic movements where you may be forgiven for thinking that nothing seems to be happening. Though this is all a necessary evil in building towards something greater. Sure, it’ll deter those wanting instant gratification. Though stick with it and your patience will be rewarded. That reward is in the shape of a thoroughly crushing cathartic crescendo! The dynamics slowly increase, the overall timbre and distorted texture thickens, whilst the synths and keys soar elegantly over the mix and add a central melodic focal point to the music alongside the ever reliable and fierce inhuman growls of Johannes Persson! 12 minutes may seem like a big commitment, but it’s worth it. What else were you going to do for those 12 minutes?
Cult Of Luna aren’t often a band known for their speed. Though if ‘The Rift’ makes its way into the Damnation setlist, we may well see the Bowlers Exhibition Centre turn into a 6,000 person strong mosh pit! Such are the frantic bursts of aggression and pace!
Though ITSOYS isn’t all about huge cathartic bursts and aggression. In fact, over 60 minutes of this would frankly become overwhelming. That’s why ‘breather’ songs like ‘Landby’ and ‘A Way Back’ help with the ebb, flow, and overall balance of the album, and allow you to feel the full impact of these aforementioned climaxes. Whilst songs like ‘Burial’ can offer deep introspection and atmospheric splendour without making the listener feel overwhelmed.
So, how does ITSOYS compare to the other aforementioned post metal releases of 2026?
In short, Neurosis will immediately slap you in the face with crushing grooves and dense riffs with their own gravitational pull in An Undying Love For A Burning World. Much like Russian Circles would, minus the vocals but upping the ante with sheer tonal mastery. The Ocean’s sound on Solaris is more inviting and accessible, with a sound built more on melodic progressive foundations interspersed with electronic elements and the dual vocal harmony of Lane Shi and Enrico.
ITSOYS leans more towards the crushing and cathartic end of this spectrum, more like Neurosis and Russian Circles, but is more like a Sunday roast rather than a 3 minute microwave meal. It may take some time to get to the best bits, but by god it’s satisfying when you get there! ITSOYS and Cult Of Luna succeed in their unwavering devotion to continuously redefine what metal can and should be. For this reason, Cult Of Luna shall remain at the top of the food chain and kings of post metal!
