NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – May 26, 2026
Montreal Blackened Thrash SHROUD Unveils Its Darkness w/ Debut Album “Pax Nocturna” Out June 2026
Streaming Singles “All Creation” and “The Eternal Void”
Vinyl / CD Pre-Order Available
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L-R – Justin Cournoyer – Bass, Matteo Conti – Guitar and Vocals, Zack Osiris – Drums, Jordan Barillaro – Guitar
Montreal’s rising Blackened Thrash force SHROUD will release their long‑awaited debut album, “Pax Nocturna,” on June 4th, 2026, delivering a ferocious first statement forged in chaos, philosophy, and pure extreme‑metal intensity. The band has already begun their ascent with two singles, “All Creation” and “The Eternal Void”, both now streaming and showcasing the band’s blistering blend of Black, Thrash, Death, and Melodic metal.
Formed during the isolation of the COVID‑19 pandemic, SHROUD began when guitarist/vocalist Matteo Conti approached drummer Zack Osiris with the idea of starting a new project while the world was locked down. Despite restrictions and the stigma of even leaving the house, the pair began writing in Montreal, crafting songs week by week and discovering a shared foundation of influences and vision. By 2022, as the world reopened, the lineup solidified with Justin Cournoyer on bass and Jordan Barillaro on guitar, a chemistry that immediately felt inevitable.
“Once Jordan joined after our first show, it was clear this was the real beginning of Shroud. Everything since has been a train of reckoning, writing, performing, and bonding. The four of us feel truly united in what Shroud has become,” adds Conti.
SHROUD describes their sound in five words: Blackened Thrash Metal, but “Pax Nocturna” expands that foundation with elements of Death Metal, Melodic Metal, and atmospheric extremity. Fans of Watain, Dissection, Hellripper, Skeletonwitch, and Necrophobic will find themselves right at home.
The band expects the album to resonate strongly with extreme‑metal listeners:
“Black and Thrash are the driving forces, but we pull from Death and Melodic Metal too. It’s meant to be a ride, fast, punishing, sometimes slowing down, but always taking you somewhere while staying true to the sound of Shroud,” says Conti.
Lyrically, “Pax Nocturna” explores Satanic Gnosticism, existential dread, anti‑religious critique, and the darker corners of human nature. Each track dives into a different facet of the void.
“It’s the rejection of imposed order and the corruption of organized religion. It’s embracing the chaos we come from, acknowledging we are our own gods and masters. It is peace within the night. It is Pax Nocturna,” adds Conti.
The album was primarily written by Conti and Osiris, with Cournoyer and Barillaro shaping and refining the final structures. Newer material has become fully collaborative as the band continues to evolve.
The album artwork reflects SHROUD’s fascination with the occult and surrealism, drawing inspiration from Yoshitaka Amano, Zdzisław Beksiński, and dark fantasy imagery. Depicting the four band members in ritualistic worship of the demonic Archduke Murmur, the piece symbolizes philosophy, music, and the band’s unified creative force.
SHROUD has already carved a reputation in the Quebec metal scene for their tightness, intensity, and unrelenting stage presence, sharing stages with Exciter, Midnight, Wraith, Goatwhore, Vitriol, Necrofier, Wormwitch, Spiter, Tomarumvoid, Angelus Apatrida, and Sorguinazia.
“We play with vigour and hate, but also love and determination. Our presence and delivery stand out. It’s all or nothing.”
The band is set to support Atlanta’s Tómarúm and LA’s Gudsforladt alongside locals Black Market Fossil on May 28th at Piranha Bar in Montreal. Info at https://www.facebook.com/events/2763370517331518/
and Album Release Show – June 5th at Foufounes Electriques w/ LÜGER, KATÖ et BURNING SANCTUM.
Info at https://www.facebook.com/events/1636052210962146/
Recommended for fans of Watain, Dissection, Hellripper, Skeletonwitch, and Necrophobic.
Listen to singles “All Creation” and “The Eternal Void” at the following links:
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/artist/60dzfqRWshGC9cqd0TbFIE
All Creation – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4okttHfnlg
The Eternal Void – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ56_laldDc
“Pax Nocturna” is due out June 4th, 2026.
CD / Vinyl – https://shroudmtl.bandcamp.com/
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Track Listing:
1. Pax Nocturna (0:43)
2. The Eternal Void (5:09)
3. The Zealot (5:15)
4. Merciless Tyrants (5:59)
5. Darkest Night (4:45)
6. Diablivion (5:28)
7. Death Blows Over (4:18)
8. All Creation (5:29)
9. Abaddon (7:55)
Album Length: 45:05
Album and Live Band lineup:
Matteo Conti – Guitar and Vocals
Jordan Barillaro – Guitar
Zack Osiris – Drums
Justin Cournoyer – Bass
More info:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086688022343
https://www.instagram.com/shroud.mtl
About: Emerging from the depths below, Shroud formed in 2022 when Conti and Osiris began writing together during the pandemic. With the later addition of Barillaro and Cournoyer, the band’s lineup solidified into a unit defined by technical skill, raw aggression, and a shared vision of darkness. Their sound, blistering riffs, thunderous drums, and vocals echoing through the void, has quickly earned them recognition as one of Montreal’s most promising extreme‑metal acts. Now, with Pax Nocturna, Shroud is ready to unleash its full power.
Album Recording Credits:
– All songs performed by: Matteo Conti, Zack Osiris, Jordan Barillaro, Justin Cournoyer
– All songs written by: Matteo Conti and Zack Osiris
– Produced by: Shroud and Jordan Barillaro
– Mixed by: Jordan Barillaro
– Album Art by: Justin Cournoyer
– Mastered by: Tore Stjerna
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