Shrike – The Divine and the Serpentine Review

As soon as the listener presses the play button, the opening piece Divine greets them with an epic atmosphere and instrumental soundscape. Following suit, the second piece, EBB and Flow (This Will Never End) builds up for what’s about to come… 

The Divine and the Serpentine, is over sixty minutes long, spread across thirteen songs. The Divine and the Serpentine, is not only showcases their unique sound—a rich blend of ambient, cinematic, and orchestral textures—but also delves into deep thematic content through a “semi” concept album exploring the complexities of abusive relationships, making it a powerful story for the metal community. Each song on The Divine and the Serpentine weaves personal experiences with broader themes, providing insights into the challenges of addiction, recovery, and overcoming psychological trauma.

Tracks like Ebb and Flow (This Will Never End) and The Sinner in Saint’s Regalia vividly portray the emotional weight of supporting someone through addiction and the intense feelings surrounding suicidal thoughts. Meanwhile, Serpentine is loosely based on the story of Medusa, serving as a metaphor for mob mentality, black-and-white thinking, one-sided dogmatic thinking, and overly virtuous thinking—often from people who are simply projecting to feel better about themselves. In contrast, ‘Plagues Confide Through Masquerade’ delves into the raw turmoil of narcissistic abuse. 

Shrike and their album The Divine and the Serpentine represent a fruit of art fusion of artistry and devilmanship. The results in a vibrant tapestry of sound that enthrals listeners. The Divine and the Serpentine showcases the fruit of art-talents of Liam, whose guitar work i skilful waves melodic cohesion with captivating riffs and intricate harmonized solos. His vocal range is equally impressive, effortlessly transitioning from fierce, guttural screams to ethereal growls and smooth, clean melodies, each note imbued with deep emotion. 

Adding to this rich sonic landscape is the dynamic drumming of Ste Byrne, whose energetic rhythms and skilful double bass patterns inject a driving force into the music. While Liam Shaw initially took the lead on vocals, the collaboration with Lucas Fletcher from Blanket during the album’s production introduced a new layer of vocal depth and complexity. This partnership, along with their relentless commitment to their art, has allowed Shrike to create an album that pulsates with raw energy and showcases a refined artistic vision.

The Divine and the Serpentine, is written and composed to perfection. Each song is different in tone, tempo, and instrumentation, as previously mentioned, combining acoustic, cinematic, and orchestral textures with melodic death and metalcore.  All of this is enveloped in production that achieves an impeccable standard of quality. This exceptional production enhances the artistry of the composition and arrangement, showcasing not only the instrumental prowess but also the strength of the thoughtfully crafted lyrics. 

Overall, Shrike and their album The Divine and the Serpentine is a compelling fruit of art, where sounds are not merely present but rather diverse. The album concludes with the final track, No One Knows. As the music fades in the distance and the darkness, we want to give a shoutout to Stampede Press for letting us review Shrike and their album The Divine and the Serpentine.