VIRGIN BLACK: Sombre Romantic CD. the soundtrack to a dark, romantic movie. Atmospheric, symphonic Metal. Check samples. SAMPLES

SAMPLES:
www.amazon.co.uk/Sombre-Romantic/dp/B001GKNFB4/ref=mb_oe_o

Sometimes a band emerges that defies all expectations, takes control of one's body and soul, and never let's go. Virgin Black is precisely that kind of a band. On its first full-length US release, this Australian group creates some of the most unique sounds in modern heavy music, taking the listener on a mysterious voyage of exquisite sadness. This is the soundtrack to a dark, romantic movie that unfortunately is yet to be filmed. Every song on the album possesses the quality of suspense, depression, and at times, even horror. The unprecedented amount of emotion and depth is created by the vocals of Rowan London. In his finest moments, Rowan sounds like a professional opera singer [Of Your Beauty, 1:26-2:13]. His black metal shrieks [Drink the Midnight Hymn] and doomy moans [Museum of Iscariot] are just as beautiful and effective as his clean vocals, sending chills down my spine with every listen. While Sombre Romantic utilizes quite a few musical instruments, Samantha Escribe's guitars are the highlight of this album. They stand out, because they are not dominating: they give the music enough room to breathe, yet, create an incredible impact which makes these songs a heavenly
experience. The music Virgin Black creates does not follow any specific formula. Every song on the album has its own personality. For example, Opera de Romanci and Embrace sound like they could have been on The Omen soundtrack. A Poet's Tears of Porcelain comes across like a psalm. Weep for Me comes across as a funeral dirge that will make you cry as if a part of you just died. On Sombre Romantic, Virgin Black proves to the world that they are true innovators: there are no predictable melodies or vocal patterns on Sombre Romantic; everything moves in its own mysterious way. To simply put it: this is a must have in anyone's music collection!

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5.0 out of 5 stars **** Virgin Black ****,
This has to be one of thee best albums/bands I’ve heard in years.
This album ‘Sombre Romantic’ 2001 showed Virgin Black honing their skill and creative thought in ways I haven’t heard the likes of before. “Essentially five years in the making” this album has so much to offer and is a veritable river of emotion and musical texture from the classical to the electronic ultimately making something new that the closest thing I could label them with is ‘darkwave’ but the more I listen to them the more I believe this is wrong.
Note; Virgin Black have male vocals instead of the usual female vocals in bands of this neo-classical nature. They are also exquisite and help portray the deep emotion present in the music

Because of this the songs all each have their own distinct character and individuality, I believe this may be to the fact that they worked on them over a long period of time and have been able to evolve their sound and songs letting them mature like that of a fine wine giving them body and depth. This is strongly presented in the track ‘Museum of Iscariot’ delivering beauty sadness and superb musicianship.

I would urge anyone that likes darkwave/doom to venture into Virgin Black’s dark sound and hopefully want to stay… forever.
For current fans the most similar band I can think of at the moment is fellow Australian misery monger’s ‘Elegeion’ who’s work I also highly recommend

Full-length, Self-released
February 12th, 2001

Rowan London - vocals & keyboards
Samantha Escarbe - guitars & cello
Craig Edis -guitar
Ian Miller - bass
Dino Cielo - drums

Re-released by The End Records in 2002.
1. Opera de Romanci: I. Stare 03:57
2. Opera de Romanci: II. Embrace 03:52
3. Walk Without Limbs 04:26
4. Of Your Beauty 04:00
5. Drink the Midnight Hymn 05:14
6. Museum of Iscariot 07:41
7. Lamenting Kiss 05:25
8. Weep for Me 01:52
9. I Sleep with the Emperor 02:40
10. A Poet's Tears of Porcelain 05:20
11. Outro 00:11
Total playing time 44:38