REVIEW

The first EP from Norwegian doom metal/post-metal band Leonov.

Formed in Oslo in 2010, Leonov take their name from spacewalk pioneer Alexei Leonov. Across three full-length albums, the band have cultivated a distinctive sound that merges crushing, decadent heaviness with ethereal vocals, earning a devoted following among fans of dark doom. The current lineup features Tåran Reindal (vocals & organ), Rune Gilje(guitars), Ole Jørgen Reindal (guitars), Morten Kjelling (bass), and Jon-Vetle Lunden (drums).

“Shape of Ash” marks the band’s first release since signing to Pelagic Records. Across four tracks, the EP explores themes of helplessness, anxiety, inner conflict, and eventual catharsis.

#1 “Samarian” opens with wavering rhythms before gradually collapsing into a flood of towering guitars. #2 “Auld Ashok” drifts through viscous riffs and spectral vocals, unfolding as a meditative piece steeped in doom-laden atmosphere. On #3 “Bygg en menneskekropp” the band shift into a slower, melancholic cadence, built around an exchange with Norwegian folk singer Syvert Feed that plays out like a scene from a dark folk tale.

The closing title track, #4 “Shape of Ash,” intertwines ominous guitar repetition with tribal drumming as waves of noise and increasingly impassioned vocals steadily erupt toward a cathartic finale. The song’s ritualistic progression feels almost shamanic in nature, while also revealing the EP’s strongest shoegaze influence.

Compact at just 23 minutes, “Shape of Ash” delivers an impressive balance of beauty and weight. As Leonov’s first step under the Pelagic banner, it more than succeeds in hinting at a larger creative ascent ahead. Recommended for fans of Fvnerals, King Woman, and Chelsea Wolfe.