Split albums are, in my humble opinion, a world of their own. Love them or hate them, they give bands the chance to test their vitality when no major release is on the horizon or when there has not been anything new for a while. “Latitudes of Sorrow,” released on November 21st, 2025, via Everlasting Spew, brings together SHORES OF NULL and CONVOCATION on a five-track split where each band’s personal vision of doom metal fully unfolds.
Admittedly, I am more familiar with the Italians, having reviewed their work for some time now, but I do know Finnish death/doom duo CONVOCATION and took this opportunity to dive a bit deeper into their back catalogue. Their previous and third full‑length album, “No Dawn for the Caliginous Night,” came out a couple of years ago, as did SHORES OF NULL’s latest release, “The Loss of Beauty,” so it is nice to finally hear new material from both bands at once.
The opening track, “An Easy Way,” immediately brings SHORES OF NULL’s trademark sound to the forefront. Davide’s voice dominates the scene, his tormented growls perfectly mirroring the lyrical themes of depression, inner turmoil, and the seductive pull of ending it all “the easy way,” whose meaning is all too clear. The tune was chosen as a single due to its catchy vibe and intense impact, as dark as it can be, with such a specific yet widely spoken lyrical theme. The chorus is a full-fledged earworm, in a sharp contrast with the heaviness of the verses. As a long-time listener, I feel at home, but I do see an evolution in the band’s approach, if compared to their previous releases.
Death and loss are hardly new themes for the genre, nor for SHORES OF NULL, who about five years ago released the 38‑minute single‑track album “Beyond the Shores (On Death and Dying),” devoted to the five stages of grief. On the second track of “Latitudes of Sorrow,” however, they decided to recount a gut‑wrenching real story that took place in January 2017 in the region where the singer was born and raised. “The White Wound” is inspired by the Hotel Rigopiano avalanche, triggered by a series of earthquakes, which buried the luxury resort under tons of snow and debris, killing twenty‑nine people and leaving only eleven survivors.
An Italian journalist and podcaster, Pablo Trincia, created a deeply moving series about the Rigopiano tragedy (E poi il silenzio). The facts were no secret to Davide, but the podcast triggered a profound emotional response that intensely shaped his connection to the events. Notably, the song’s opening line “A snowflake makes no sound and doesn’t kill” mirrors the podcast’s exact words. This shared phrase not only bridges the two works emotionally but also conveys a profound sense of fragile sorrow and loss. Both the podcast and the song evoke a powerful feeling of injustice surrounding the tragedy, honoring the memory of those who were affected, even though, regrettably, the podcast is available only in Italian. The song title refers to the avalanche itself, a scar of white snow that tore through the mountain and the lives of those inside, but it also refers to the negligence surrounding the event.
Musically, “The White Wound” brilliantly embodies SHORES OF NULL’s Gothic-doom style. The guitars create a haunting atmosphere, beginning with slow, dissonant riffs that shift into rapid tremolo picking, masterfully provided by Gabriele and Raffaele. The rhythm section (Emiliano on drums and Matteo on bass) anchors the piece with a deep, pulsating low end that erupts unexpectedly into blackened blast beats, symbolizing the chaos of an avalanche. Davide’s vocal delivery moves seamlessly from anguished growls and tormented screams to soaring, clean passages, reaching harmonic peaks that express a profound, all-encompassing emotional response to the tragedy. The lyrics and music combined convey not only the sorrow and despair experienced by those directly affected but also the unbearable frustration and helplessness felt by those left behind.
Another real event inspired “The Year without Summer”: the song is about the eruption of Mount Tambora, which occurred in present-day Indonesia back in 1815. The aftermath was devastating: a thick layer of ash released into the atmosphere dimmed sunlight, causing severe consequences for nature and humanity. As temperatures dropped significantly worldwide, this led to widespread famine, floods, and epidemics. The event was later labeled “the year without summer,” serving as a dreadful yet fitting example of how fragile life is in the face of unpredictable nature. MN from CONVOCATION contrasts the song’s generally dreamy yet unmistakable funeral doom atmosphere with his massive, powerful growl, balancing Davide’s almost whispered chant.
CONVOCATION’s side of “Latitudes of Sorrow” sees two tracks, covering about 20 minutes of crushingly heavy funeral doom, a matter where Finns always excel. MN (vocals, known for his former band DARK BUDDAH RISING) and LL (all instruments, songwriting, plays also in DESOLATE SHRINE) prove once again their ability to sculpt soundscapes of absolute desolation: where the split’s first half offered melody and hooks, CONVOCATION offers only the void.
“Abaddon’s Shadow” opens their side: a 10-minute journey into heaviness that expands their collaborative reach. Guest vocals by Kari Kankaanpää (SEPULCHRAL CURSE) blend with MN‘s powerful roar to create a multi-layered assault, while lyrics by Matti Mäkelä (CORPSESSED) add narrative depth. It starts with a calm, atmospheric introduction before shifting to heavier sections. LL‘s guitar work combines thick, distorted riffs with subtle keyboards that provide an eerie backdrop. The track maintains tension through dissonant, shifting textures that prevent stagnation and keep the unease immediate and intense.
The closing track, “Empty Room,” recorded during sessions for their previous album, “No Dawn for the Caliginous Night,” emphasizes atmosphere over aggression. At nearly nine minutes, it reflects the split’s cover art (also by LL). It opens with a stark, lonely guitar line that echoes in isolation. When the full instrumentation arrives, it feels suffocating. Droning synths and buried, chant-like background vocals create a hypnotic atmosphere. The lyrics and music capture the heavy silence of absence.
“Latitudes of Sorrow” is a masterful study in contrast, proving that grief has many voices. SHORES OF NULL approaches sorrow as a turbulent, human experience: passionate, melodic, and driven by dynamic tension. Their side is the sound of the emotional struggle itself, filled with weeping guitars and soaring vocals that fight against the darkness.
CONVOCATION, on the other hand, embody the void that follows: the immovable aftermath where all struggle has ceased. Theirs is not a fight, but a surrender to the abyss, a suffocating, funeral doom heaviness that offers no melody to hold onto, only the terrifying vastness of the empty room.
Together, these two bands have created a complete emotional cycle. SHORES OF NULL break your heart, and CONVOCATION bury it. This is not just a split album, but rather a cohesive journey from the sharp pain of loss to the crushing weight of silence.
Shores of Null: pic by Arianna Savo
Convocation: pic by Roni Sahari / Kammio Visuals
Tracklist
- An Easy Way
- The White Wound
- The Year without Summer
- Abaddon’s Shadow
- Empty Room
Lineup
Shores of Null:
Davide Straccione – vocals
Gabriele Giaccari – guitars
Raffaele Colace – guitars
Matteo Capozucca – bass
Emiliano Cantiano – drums
Convocation:
MN – vocals
LL – all instruments
Label
Everlasting Spew
Links
Facebook (Shores of Null)
Facebook (Convocation)
Bandcamp (Everlasting Spew)
