#virgin black

[morklagt]

Virgin Black - Beloved

[aqua-regia009]

A Poet's Tears Of Porcelain by Virgin Black From Sombre Romantic (2000) Symphonic Gothic / Doom Metal / NeoClassical - from Australia

[vonvamprayer]

[albumarchives]

Virgin Black | Sombre Romantic (2001)

[morklagt]

Virgin Black - Domine

[morklagt]

Band: Virgin Black Album: Requiem- Pianissimo Released: 2018 Country: Australia

Tracklist: 1. Reqiuem Aeternum 2. Dies Irae 3. Until Death 4. Kyrie Eleiso 5. Libera Eis Domine 6.  Lacrimosa (I Tread Alone) 7. Pie Jesu 8. Remembrance

Pianissimo was initially supposed to be released in 2008 just a few months after Fortissimo. However, Virgin Black seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth, finally releasing the final chapter of the Requiem trilogy after nearly 10 years of silence. As suggested by the title, Pianissimo is a symphonic album devoid of any metal singing or instrumentation, while still maintaining the same emotional intensity of the classic requiem mass. The wait was long and painful (I first began listening to this group in 2009), but to finally listen to the trilogy in its entirety and appreciate the musical themes throughout is certainly a moving experience.

[morklagt]

Band: Virgin Black Album: Requiem- Fortissimo Released: 2008 Country: Australia Genre: Doom metal, death metal

Tracklist:

1. The Fragile Breath 2. In Winter’s Ash 3. Silent 4. God in Dust 5. Lacrimosa (Gather Me) 6. Darkness 7. Forever

“Gather me, for I am scattered Speak comfort to me Gather me, share my sorrow.”

The second part of the Requiem trilogy. While its predecessor Mezzo Forte balanced metal with soft, symphonic elements, Fortissimo takes on a doom/death approach turned up to eleven. Gone is Rowan London’s operatic singing, instead his growling vocals sound like they are straight from the depths of hell itself. The guitars are also far more prevalent and are a true standout-- the riffs have a slow, resonant quality that create a haunting, mournful atmosphere.

As with other Virgin Black releases, the lyrics have overtly religious themes, however the heaviness of this album changes the tone entirely. There is an added desperation, a pleading to God while trapped in the darkest hour. 

Favorite tracks: The Fragile Breath, God in Dust, Lacrimosa (Gather Me)            

[morklagt]

Band: Virgin Black Album: Requiem- Mezzo Forte Released: 2007 Country: Australia Genre: Doom metal, gothic metal, symphonic metal

Tracklist: 

1. Requiem, Kyrie 2. In Death 3. Midnight’s Hymn 4. And I Am Suffering 5. Domine 6. Lacrimosa (I Am Blind with Weeping) 7. Rest Eternal

Requiem- Mezzo Forte is the first release in Virgin Black’s Requiem trilogy, a set of albums revolving around grief and loss (because what else would a symphonic doom metal album be about?). An orchestra and choir perform alongside the band to create a beautifully mournful atmosphere. As a thematic album, each song fits as part of a larger whole, similar to movements in a piece of classical music. The pace for the most part is slow and doomy, making the shift in speed and aggression on “Domine” even more harrowing.

Favorite tracks: And I Am Suffering, Domine, Lacrimosa (I Am Blind with Weeping)