#FeatureFriday The Gold Flesh of the Sun by Lascaille’s Shroud

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The Gold Flesh of the Sun by Lascaille’s Shroud

THE GOLD FLESH OF THE SUN is Lascaille’s Shroud eighth album, featuring five new songs and a centralised theme of masking and self-destruction. Inspired by various media and people, each song features a person or persons who, desperate for power, control, happiness, or validation, mask their true nature to get what they need. The price each one pays is different, but no matter the story, there is always a debt that is due. @lascaillesshroud.bsky.social

“The Gold Flesh of the Sun” is an album about hiding who you and what your intentions are. Artist Brett Windnagle has approached this common theme through the format of melodic Death Metal; in itself a genre, that often hides vulnerability and sensitivity behind fast instrumentation and harsh vocals. Each of the five songs on this album examines the concept of masking from a different perspective, but inevitably, they also show that there are consequences for it. Someone with more experience in the topic than me could write more about the presented viewpoints, but I can say that I found a lot of interesting things to things to think about in the lyrics; from the self-sabotaging nature of the habit, to the social implications.

The musical side taken by itself, is incredibly engaging. Stomping rhythms, soaring riffs and powerful chords carry the listener through each track and get their heart rate up. There are some truly glorious guitar sounds in this, the drums are precise and pummeling and the vocals, while consistently harsh, are clear and piercing. It is hard to find a better example of how a MeloDeath album should sound; it really is that good. The progression of moods – not only in each song, but also over the course of the entire album – is exactly what the topic needs; from very aggressive and driving, to mournful and resigned.

Overall, this is an amazing album and one I can wholeheartedly recommend. It feels personal, imaginative and exciting, all at the same time. The music can be enjoyed for its own merits and the lyrics only add to the appeal, while the production is perfectly on point. The general style of Lascaille’s Shroud feels nonconformist, while being brilliant in its execution; a project that talks about important themes, while being infinitely listenable. I truly wish more people would hear it.

Florgoth

So this is Melodeath right? It has blastbeats, it has grunts, melodic tremolo picking. This is Melodeath? Right? To my ears it definitely seems to be yeah, but luckily Lascaille’s Shroud doesn’t make it that cut and dry. Which I freaking love, subvert my expectations baby!

So while in my opinion this has all the ingredients for it to be considered Melodeath, and to me definitely fits that bill, there is so much more going on here. It’s especially that dissonant touch in their sound that while melodic also gives it a darker edge. An edge that makes it slightly less penetrable than you’d expect. Not in the way that this is hard to listen to, no, far from it. It is however something you’ll need to listen to with intent. While you could easily put this on as background music it would do this record a huge disservice. This is a record that deserves you taking time out of your day to put on your headphones and just have a proper listening session.

This dissonance here makes the whole sound a bit dreary as it has this sense of gloom about it. Dreary and gloomy but also heartbreakingly beautiful at times where the melodies just pull on your heartstrings. Especially in the ending song which gives it a faint hint of optimism to offset this generally darker atmosphere.

All in all, it gives me a sense of “What if At The Gates were more Doomy?” or “What if Paradise Lost was more energetic and uptempo”. And despite me using genre descriptors and comparing them to other bands it’s exactly this middle ground in between that makes this album so special and unique. It offers both a sense of familiarity to seasoned Metal veterans as well being its own new thing that’s definitely worth checking out.

Eveyweveydevey

The Gold Flesh of the Sun is an exercise in clean playing and awesome guitar tones. The distortion is very satisfying, as is the playing, precise and tasteful. Atonal and melodic. The mix is neat, drums just forward and intense. Guitars separated and not over drenched. At times I hear Iron Maiden style leads that switch hit into a Megadeth vein, the bass is just sat down the middle supporting. The vocals though harsh maintain consistency throughout.

What is ultimately impressive about, The Gold Flesh of the Sun, is that is is a one person band. The arrangements are clever and all the playing is exceptional. As a guitarist I really enjoyed a controlled chug. Riffs are cool and interesting and the lead guitar is really, really tastefully done. The doubling and harmonizing build a sonic wall that gives this album a big thumbs up from me, It sounds epic

Untidy Music

Updated: February 27, 2026 — 6:26 am

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