Distant Shadow – World Of Disillusion

Distant Shadow
World Of Disillusion
Out: 23^rd October 2026
Playing time: 37:59

The Hamburg-based Metal band Distant Shadow was founded in 2023 by guitarists Nico Abbe and Phil Kühn. Both were seventeen years old and met in November 2022 through an online advert. They began writing songs together and recorded their first demos. In September of the following year, drummer Robin Behrensmeyer and bassist Morten Trienke joined the band.  In 2025, their first EP, ‘Whispers And Lies’, was released. Now their debut album, ‘World Of Disillusion’, is set to be published in October.

The riff-driven ‘Shadows Remain’ opens the album. After a somewhat subdued introduction, the track picks up speed with a slight Thrash edge, often driven by double bass drumming. The track culminates in a powerful guitar solo. Fast, heavy riffs also dominate ‘Conquer The Masses’. The vocals, which are mostly clear but come across as slightly off-key, suit the sound well. ‘Escape The Light’ begins with technically distorted guitars, before the drums once again drive the track forward relentlessly. Clean guitars and calm riffs introduce ‘Empty Vision’. But it doesn’t stay that way. It gets heavy, though not quite as fast as before. The bass provides the rhythmic foundation, whilst the drums drive the track forward in typical Thrash style. ‘Faceless’ then shifts back into high-speed mode. The vocals come across as a little frantic. Despite all this, Distant Shadow repeatedly showcase their melodic side. On the title track “World Of Disillusion”, the guitars are on fire right from the start. The two closing tracks, “Another Day In Silence” and “A Way Out”, are also characterised by the interplay of fierce thrash and beautiful melodies. And guitar solos thrown in time and again.

‘World Of Disillusion’ is a successful debut album. Distant Shadow manage to strike a fine balance between Thrash Metal, Heavy Metal and catchy melodies. The highlight for me is the closing track ‘A Way Out’, which, at seven and a quarter minutes, is a true musical epic. In their message to me, the musicians state: ‘Distant Shadow stands for the younger generation’s take on Metal’. But with their music, they also appeal to older generations of Metal fans.

Distant Shadow – Escape The Light: https://youtu.be/BUtvEKupVfY?si=6F8NnxKAJXgoeTAf

Lineup:

Nico Abbe – Vocals, Lead Guitar
Phil Kühn – Rhythm Guitar
Morten Trienke – Bass
Robin Behrensmeyer – Drums

Track list:

• Shadows Remain
• Conquer The Masses
• Escape The Light
• Empty Vision
• Faceless
• World of Disillusion
• Another Day in Silence
• A Way Out