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    Art for the Ears 2001/Virgin Black
    Virgin Black — Sombre Romantic cover

    Virgin Black

    Sombre Romantic

    (2000)

    Reviewed by Marco Povervest

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    Label Massacre RecordsArt for the Ears2001
    doom metalexperimentalgothic metalsymphonic metal

    Dark cellos, acoustic guitars and classic like male singing characterizes the opening track on this Australian album. It was a dark, heated atmosphere. The song is aptly titled Opera De Romanci and song two is actually the second part called Embrace. With the second track the electric guitars break loose like thunder on a hot and sultry summer night. The use of keyboards in this part of the composition add to the clammy atmosphere. Virgin Black's music reminds me of Saviour Machine, yet the guitars are heavier and the album offers more variety. The wonderful cut Walk Without Limbs has a dark, eerie sound. And Drink The Midnight Hymn is a heavy rocking tune with a continuing flow of distorted guitar riffing. And Sombre Romantic ends with an epic song: A Poet's Tears Of Porcelain. The music on this disc is an interesting melting-pot of gothic with classic influences. And well produced too. I'd also like to mention that I like the cover. It's beautiful!

    Other coverage for this album

    HM Magazine #87Reviewed by Doug Van PeltThis gothic band is just utterly awesome and breathtakingly beautiful. Gregorian-like chants, strings, low doomy guitars, and a tight rhythm section support an epic sound that acts as a perfect soundtrack to those dark, lonely nights in the castle (lots of candles necessary). Don't think it's just locked into slow and doom, though. This disc is experimental in nature. Open-minded fans of death…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by sesspoolI have attempted, ever since obtaining this cd from cornerstone '01, to give this album less than a 10 rating... searching... if for but one thing to give it a lowered rating. yet I find that as time goes on, and I listen to the album in varying situations, moods, volumes, qualities... I find that this album is nothing short of perfection. There is not a single area on this cd, not a single…

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