The seventh studio album, “All the Shadows”, carves out its classic traditional brand. First, the songs are dynamic, characterized by Tim Baker‘s high-pitched vocals and downtuned guitars. The departure of veterans Jimmy Barraza and Greg Lindstrom has left the door open for new members to join the band.

The new lineup features guitarist Armand Anthony (Night Demon), founding member and drummer Robert Garven, bassist Jarvis Leatherby, and vocalist Tim Baker. Cirith Ungol blasts into fiery rhythm guitar fueled by catchy riffs in the opening track “All the Shadows”, while Tim Baker’s vocals are full of power; the driven bass leads into a high-octane heavy metal solo.

The songwriting is steeped in old-school metal, drawing inspiration from bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest. The classic metal trademark delivers a vintage metal sound that will not disappoint the fans.

“This Mortal Stain” delivers riffs galore, is a typical Cirith Ungol track; it combines their trademark style from the classic debut album “Frost and Fire”. The interplay between the bass, guitar, and the drums unfolds in a display; although the sound is pretty much old-school, the guitar delivers a dramatic solo. The band delivers plenty of dark, impactful riffs and melodies inspired by NWOBHM, which keeps the songs catchy and heavy.

The meandering pace in “Turning Blind” reflects a sense of doom and showcases interplay between the instruments and Tim Baker’s harrowing vocals. The doom influences in some of the songs are overt. Although the band offers nothing new, the songwriting feels stale and boring.

Guitarists Jimmy Barraza and Greg Lindstrom stepping down and leaving the workforce may have affected the songwriting creativity; on the other hand, the new guitarist Armand Anthony makes no mistake in maintaining gritty rhythms, chugs, and melodies while wearing influences up his sleeves.

“Shallow Reflection” is one of the best songs; it begins with a doom vibe. The song has its moments where you can hear some galloping guitar lines and harmonies à la Iron Maiden. Robert Garven‘s drum fills are excellent; the tempo then accelerates into a heavy metal vibe. While some songs transition from NWOBHM to heavy doom metal, Cirith Ungol never shies away from sounding ballsy; the pace builds for faster tempos. The bass guitar is noteworthy, and the thunderous drumming knocks you out.

The bass and guitar’s relentless energy is impactful; traditional pounding rhythms and mysterious atmospheres harken back to 80s Cirith Ungol style. This is a very nostalgic song that sounds refreshing.

Tim Baker and the rest of the band bring their unique old-school flavor on tracks like “Empty Tomb”; the aggressive rhythm and drums maintain the fiery burst of anger. My favorite song on this album is “On Broken Wings”, a beautiful slow ballad that begins with an atmospheric acoustic guitar intro that is inspired by the 80s heavy metal era.

This powerful ballad brings plenty of epic moments, and the overall quality feels nostalgic and fresh. The fat bass guitar work on “Hollow Nimbus” shifts into a mid-tempo crusher filled with aggressive moments before Armand Anthony unleashes an unforgettable guitar solo midway through the track, and the acoustic guitar passages add an extra layer of emotion that utterly captivates.

Without losing their flair and creativity, the album delivers plenty of aggression but somehow lacks the epic grandeur of previous albums; Cirith Ungol always pushes its songwriting beyond the limits. “All the Shadows” meanders between pure heaviness, melody, and aggression, but I prefer their comeback “Forever Black” and “Dark Parade” to this one. Cirith Ungol preserved its classic sound on its newest album, but the songs feel rushed; the quality of composition varies from one song to another, and this is one of the drawbacks.

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