SHROUD

track-list:
Pax Nocturna
The Eternal Void
The Zealot
Merciless Tyrants
Darkest Night
Diablivion
Death Blows Over
All Creation
Abaddon

all songs written by Matteo Conti and Zack Osiris
produced by Shroud and Jordan Barillaro
mixed by Jordan Barillaro
mastered by Tore Stjerna

Shroud are:
Matteo Conti – guitar, vocals
Jordan Barillaro – guitar
Zack Osiris – drums
Justin Cournoyer – bass

PowerMetal.de:
“The Canadians are beyond any doubt and have put together a debut album that not only packs a serious punch in terms of aggression but also delivers enough memorable moments to perfectly balance frenzy, speed, and punchiness.”
Cult Metal Flix (94/100):
“Imagine the ferocity, the grit and attitude of ‘Power n Pain’-era Whiplash, add the nocturnal melodic majesty of Necrophobic… This scratches the itch, then successfully obliterates it!”
Drako’s Metal Reviews (10/10):
“A definite early AOTY candidate… if you’re into absolutely groove-filled blackened thrash then absolutely look no further than this masterpiece…”

Canadian blackened thrash newcomers Shroud have announced themselves in emphatic fashion with the release of their debut full-length album, ‘Pax Nocturna‘.
Released on June 4, 2026, the record introduces a band determined to push beyond genre conventions, blending the ferocity of black and thrash metal with elements of death and melodic metal to create an uncompromising yet dynamic listening experience.
Formed in Quebec in 2022 by guitarist/vocalist Matteo Conti and drummer Zack Osiris, Shroud soon completed its lineup with guitarist Jordan Barillaro and bassist Justin Cournoyer.
Following a series of intense live performances across the local metal scene, the quartet quickly developed a reputation for combining technical musicianship with raw aggression, laying the foundation for what would become ‘Pax Nocturna‘.
According to Conti, the album was deliberately designed as a complete journey rather than simply a collection of songs.
While black and thrash metal remain the driving forces, the band seamlessly introduces death metal brutality and melodic passages to keep the record constantly evolving.
Fast-paced assaults give way to slower, more atmospheric moments before accelerating once again, creating what the guitarist describes as a ‘rollercoaster of heavy metal‘ that never loses Shroud’s unmistakable identity.
Lyrically, ‘Pax Nocturna‘ revolves around the concept of Satanic Gnosticism, exploring themes of personal freedom, mortality, existentialism and the rejection of oppressive systems, organized religion and authoritarian control.
Rather than presenting darkness for its own sake, the album examines chaos as a natural state of existence, encouraging self-determination while reflecting on death, consciousness and humanity’s place in the universe.
The title itself ultimately represents finding ‘peace within the night‘.
The album artwork reinforces these ideas with imagery inspired by the dark fantasy worlds of Yoshitaka Amano, the surreal horror paintings of Zdzisław Beksiński, and even subtle influences from The Lord of the Rings.
At its center stands the demonic figure Murmur, surrounded by symbolic elements that represent the band’s fascination with occult philosophy and the creative power of music.
Musically, ‘Pax Nocturna‘ moves effortlessly between relentless speed and atmospheric depth.
Tracks such as ‘The Eternal Void‘ and ‘Death Blows Over‘ unleash blistering blackened thrash attacks, while songs like ‘Darkest Night‘ and the epic closing track ‘Abaddon‘ explore more expansive and melodic territory.
Elsewhere, ‘Merciless Tyrants‘ draws inspiration from the Warhammer 40,000 universe, ‘The Zealot‘ revisits the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition, and ‘All Creation‘ offers a scientifically inspired reflection on the birth of the Earth, demonstrating the band’s willingness to tackle a wide range of themes without sacrificing cohesion.
The album has already attracted considerable attention within the metal press.
With ‘Pax Nocturna’, Shroud deliver a debut that is both technically accomplished and relentlessly energetic.
Combining crushing riffs, razor-sharp musicianship and a strong conceptual foundation, the Canadian quartet has established itself as one of the most promising new names in modern blackened thrash metal.