"Entwined in Misery" resumes the album in typical Shape of Despair (nearly?) funeral doom style, and in fine form too. The music emanates a feeling of disillusionment and sorrow, but retains an exquisite beauty -- again mainly thanks to Ullgren's guitar work. Some of Jarno Salomaa's synths fail to convince me, but they do not significantly harm the music, and this turns out to be one of the best doom metal songs I've heard this year. Helped by acoustic guitar and much better synth work, the next track, "Curse Life", keeps things interesting. "Fragile Emptiness" and the title track finish the hour-long effort with aplomb in a similar vein.

Overall _Illusion's Play_ is a worthy follow-up to _Angels of Distress_, and although it may not cause as much of an impact, it should still satisfy fans of the band. _Illusion's Play_ helps prove once again that Finnish doom is still going strong, and that Shape of Despair are one of its greatest exponents.