Across The Shade just revealed “Kingdom“, offering a first taste of their second album “Madness“, out January 24, 2025. Polish melodic death metal at its sharpest, this one’s already turning heads.
Across The Shade
© Maciej Pałuszny
The Song That Hits Different
The video for “Kingdom” unfurls a captivating aesthetic, opening with a lone woman, candle in hand, standing at the edge of a dimly lit space—her quiet, solemn presence hinting at something both fragile and powerful. The atmosphere quickly deepens, drawing us into a forest where three women emerge from the shadows, moving in synchronized mystery. Their forms blend seamlessly with the trees, as if they are both part of and apart from the natural world. The scene shifts again, the forest now standing as a dark, breathing entity, watching, waiting. As the music intensifies, a hooded woman appears, her figure cloaked in secrecy. She seems to hold the key to the narrative, her movements deliberate and enigmatic, adding an air of suspense that lingers throughout. The minimalist lighting and ethereal compositions tie the visuals to the song’s atmospheric qualities, enhancing the hypnotic pull of the track.
Musically, it’s razor-sharp. The guitars carve out melodic riffs with precision, the rhythm section holds steady like a storm brewing, and the vocals command attention with their unpolished, emotive delivery. It’s fresh, distinctive, and proof of the band’s evolving artistry.
The Story Behind “Madness”
Written, recorded, and mastered by band founder Kamil Sikorski, “Madness” explores themes of loss, darkness, and humanity’s connection to nature. The album is described as a natural follow-up to 2019’s “Hope”, but with a sharper, more aggressive tone.
“We wanted to make this album a little bit faster and aggressive. And also we can think of it as the «Hope» LP sequel. The name of the album «Madness» is its main theme. When someone encounters many adversities, eventually loses his hope. It can lead to them losing their sanity. The main goal is to overcome the madness. Maybe you can run away from it. Or maybe it will haunt you forever”, the band members explain.
Graphic design for the album comes courtesy of Nikos Stavridakis, whose portfolio includes collaborations with Ad Hominem and Wolfheart. Across The Shade, now performing as a duo, is ready to reclaim the spotlight with this powerful sophomore release.
The cover artwork for the album “Madness”
© Nikos Stavridakis
Lineup
Kamil Sikorski – Guitar, Bass, Vocals;
Bartek Pawlik – Guitar.
Get in Touch with the Duo!
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@acrosstheshade;
Bandcamp: https://acrosstheshade.bandcamp.com/music;
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcrossTheShade;
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrosstheshade/.
