NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 4, 2026
Out Now! Montreal Blackened Thrash SHROUD Lifts The Veil To Debut Album “Pax Nocturna”
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L-R – Justin Cournoyer – Bass, Matteo Conti – Guitar and Vocals, Zack Osiris – Drums, Jordan Barillaro – Guitar
Rising from the shadows of Quebec’s extreme‑metal underground, SHROUD proudly announce the official release of their debut full‑length album, “Pax Nocturna,” available everywhere on June 4th, 2026. A blistering fusion of Blackened Thrash with elements of Death and Melodic metal, the album marks a defining first chapter for one of Montreal’s most intense and uncompromising new acts.
SHROUD began when guitarist/vocalist Matteo Conti approached drummer Zack Osiris (Warsenal) during the height of the COVID‑19 lockdowns. With their previous projects stalled and the music scene frozen, the pair began writing together in Montreal at a time when even leaving the house felt taboo. Despite the restrictions, the creative spark was undeniable. Week after week, riffs and ideas evolved into the earliest form of what would become “Pax Nocturna.”
As the world reopened in 2022, the band solidified with Justin Cournoyer joining on bass, and Jordan Barillaro recruited after filling in for their first show in November 2022. The chemistry was immediate. SHROUD was born, united, focused, and driven.
SHROUD’s sonic identity is rooted in Black and Thrash metal, sharpened by the aggression of Death metal and the atmosphere of Melodic metal. The band describes the album as a rollercoaster, fast, punishing, dynamic, and immersive, yet always unmistakably SHROUD.
Fans of extreme metal will find a record crafted for them. It’s intense, tightly executed, and overflowing with raw energy. Its lyrical depth explores philosophy, anti‑religion, the abyss and the darkest corners of human existence. The overarching concept is Satanic Gnosticism, a rejection of imposed order and corrupt leadership, and an embrace of the chaos from which humanity originates.
“It’s the acknowledgement that we are our own gods and masters. It is peace within the night. It is Pax Nocturna,” adds vocalist/guitarist Matteo Conti.
The cover art draws from the dark fantasy of Yoshitaka Amano, the surreal horror of Zdzisław Beksiński, and the mythic grandeur of The Lord of the Rings. The imagery depicts the four band members in ritualistic worship of Murmur, the Archduke and Lord of Hell, symbolising philosophy, music, and the pursuit of higher consciousness.
On stage, SHROUD deliver a level of intensity, tightness, and emotional ferocity that sets them apart. Their performances blend hate, love, determination, and pure sonic violence, a presence that has already earned them slots alongside Exciter, Midnight, Wraith, Goatwhore, Vitriol, Necrofier, Wormwitch, Spiter, Gudsforladt, Tomarumvoid, Angelus Apatrida, Sorguinazia, and more.
Local Montreal fans can see them perform this Friday, June 5th, for their album release show at Foufounes Electriques with support from Lüger, Katö and Burning Sanctum. More info at https://www.facebook.com/events/1636052210962146
Recommended for fans of Watain, Dissection, Hellripper, Skeletonwitch, and Necrophobic, “Pax Nocturna”, out June 4th, 2026, is available on all digital platforms and CD and Vinyl.
CD / Vinyl – https://shroudmtl.bandcamp.com/album/pax-nocturna
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/5dfAWpVKaWlsdSBYNZ8L1H
All Creation – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4okttHfnlg
The Eternal Void – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ56_laldDc
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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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“Imagine the ferocity, the grit and attitude of ‘Power n Pain’ era Whiplash, add the nocturnal melodic majesty of Necrophobic, and then a heaping helping of D-beat (always appreciated). Vicious, limb twitchin’ and about as infectious as something you believe you might have picked up on a recent European vacation, but wish you hadn’t. Recc for fans of SkeletonWitch, Necrophobic, Hellripper and others who successfully manage to imbue ragin’ Thrash insanity with an exquisite sense of darkness. This scatches the itch, then successfully obliterates it!” 94/100 – Cult Metal Flix
“A definite early AOTY candidate with strong claims, 5 star Black/Thrash!… There’s a high amount of crushing chugging riffs across this full length and the leadwork is absolutely scorching across the board, shreddy solos with that classic heavy metal, Thrash phrasing with a few mid-paced ones thrown in that are topped off with a couple of whammy bar accents and tremolos in them. Some of these riffs just will absolutely pummel you, as they’re fast and unrelenting as hell; also, there’s one or two solos that appear in a single track too. The vocals on this aren’t just high black metal screams, but there’s creepy deep spoken word vocals, chants and a few death growls also; if you’re into absolutely groove filled Blackened Thrash then absolutely look no further than this masterpiece, absolutely don’t sleep on it, a definite AOTY contender personally. Rating: 10/10!” – Drako’s Metal Reviews
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