Mountain Of Misery – Shades Of The Ashes

by Mark 'Yeti' Richard · May 7, 2025

Mountain Of Misery is a heavy stoner doom band from Wrocław, Poland. Formed in 2023, the band is a project of Kamil Ziółkowsk (who is the drummer/vocalist of Spaceslug and also drums for O.D.R.A and Palm Desert.) Their album releases include: 2023’s In Roundness, 2024’s The Land, and their latest, 2025’s Shades Of The Ashes. Shades Of The Ashes was released on April 4th 2025 on Electric Witch Mountain Recordings, and contains eight tracks at forty three minutes.

“Thornado” begins with the sounds of the wind that pummels into the heavy drumming and atmospheric riffs. The mesmerizing melodic drone vocals is a perfect constant throughout Shades Of The Ashes. Mountain Of Misery has a very captivating sound that is very fuzzy and heavy at times but has some beautiful melody mixed in. The hypnotizing singing is a great contrast with the music and creates an attractive combination. The second song “Follow The Sun” has a heavy doom rocking groove that starts things off. The upbeat riffing blends nicely with the hypnotic vocals. Mountain Of Misery has a ruminative sound that requires multiple listens for deep thinkers. There are layers and layers of sonic scrambling that are found throughout Shades Of The Ashes. “Follow The Sun” has such a prodding upheaval that it’s easy to get lost in the song. It’s simply musical hypnosis. “Mystify” begins with a grand distortion of fuzz and then shifts into a chilled out desert rock song. The guitar leads and melodies are excellent and the dense riffage is always gratifying too.

Track four is called “Speed King” and it is the shortest real song at three and a half minutes long. It has a mid tempo drive that gives the track a jolt of hard rocking energy that fairs nicely with Kamil Ziółkowsk’s psychedelic vocals. Mountain Of Misery sounds like a full functional band with this recording. “From Fall To Rise” is a pretty heavy song that angles through with a clobbering riff menace and melancholy melodies. The combination of both has proven effective, with the thundering rhythms and exquisite harmonies. This release was a slow burner for me but I kept coming back because of their unique approach to heavy music. “Interlude” is a quick minute and a half of mostly clean guitars, bass, and other ambient sounds. The next track, “Lightness At The End” is a fantastic song that adjoins heavy and monstrous riffing with the melodious alternative brilliance.

The last track called “Blow” starts with a low end sludge riff that builds into the melody. The soft and lush vocals are pleasing and beautifully work with the exceptional music. “Blow” is a doom metal delight! The heavy and chunky rhythms are merged perfectly with the decorative melodies and smashing harmonies. Don’t let Shades Of The Ashes slip past you. Give it several good and focused listens and you’ll be totally drawn in to Mountain Of Misery, like I am.