O$VMV$M - Shroud Of Fear 2 (Uk) [LP]

Don't worry. When they're through screaming... they'll be in here like a flood. Shroud of Fear 2 is a continuation of the original Shroud of Fear tape (self-released 2021), with production by O$VMV$M (additional production by Paulina Korobkiewicz & Intel Mercenary), saxophone by Lorenzo Prati & vocals from Bogues, gnome GOD, Manonmars, Yeo Limone, mutil umila, Intel Mercenary, Birthmark, DAKN & Franco Franco. The mixtape occupies a loose space of cocoon-like ambience tied together by iPhone recordings, MS DOS one shots and beds of reverb. The record was put together with more intention than it's predecessor - inspired by lots of late-night conversations and a long trip home from work stuck in gridlock on Shirehampton Rd in the mist. 'Woe to the inhabitors of the Earth and sea, for the Final Days are upon us!' Although there was no conversation between the different vocalists, the over-arching themes on the record seem to be channeling the constant pendulum between the ever present dread of the times and fleeting moments of joy. Touching on themes of altered consciousness, love, money worries, genocide and the grief of the modern world - connected across Spanish, Italian, Arabic and English. Aiming for the strange warmth of a horror film intro soul loops, Paul stretched instant ambience, repurposed phrases sung and repeated. An icy cloud blossoms, rising into the air. 'Ultimately it was meant to be a moment in time, that's why it means so much to have everyone on there to me - the field recordings from P (Paulina Korobkiewicz), the first time (Intel Mercenary) recorded a verse that's been released, all of that - it all came together very naturally - although it did take quite a long time. It wasn't a manufactured thing, we all know and respect each other - and in most cases are close friends. A lot of stuff was recorded in various states at our house late at night - I think you can hear that, the bits of laughing, glasses being put down and picked up - all of that - I think that stuff is important.' Crouched low, buffeted by wind, pinned in a circle of intense light. 'I feel like with Shroud of Fear 2 we have finally realized an idea we started to unravel 4 years ago with the first one, bringing together so many different voices into something coherent with a singular vibe. It really takes you to different places across the LP.'