Opera IX
“The Black Opera: Symphoniae Mysteriorum In Laudem Tenebrarum”
2000, Avantegarde
Italy’s Opera IX have returned with their 3rd album The Black Opera, and it’s very impressive. The band has matured alot from the previous 2 releases. While I was impressed with their last album Sacro Culto, and had a mixed reaction to the debut Call Of The Wood, Black Opera is a shining moment for them. They seem to be more focused, and dedicated, and the musicianship is far beyond than what I expected. Cadaveria does an amazing vocal performance. She sounds more relaxed and confident, which is really great, because I felt she was rather weak on the first album, but she improved on the 2nd album. They did a rendition of the Bauhaus song, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”. I have not heard the original version of the song, so I can’t compare it. The songs are really great espeacially, “Beyond The Black Diamond Gates”, “The Magic Temple”, and “Carnal Delight In The Vortex Of Evil”. But, all in all, this is a great album, and so far it’s in my top 10 of the year.
Tracklist:
1. Act I: The First Seal
2. Act II: Beyond the Black Diamond Gates
3. Act III: Carnal Delight in the Vortex of Evil
4. Act IV: Congressus Cum Daemone
5. Act V: The Magic Temple
6. Act VI: The Sixth Seal
7. Bela Lugosi’s Dead (Bauhaus Cover)
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialoperaIX
Members:
Ossian – Guitars
Vlad – Bass
Flegias – Drums
Cadaveria – Vocals/Keyboards
Lunaris – Keyboards
Taranis – Drums
Madras – Vocals
Rating: 9 out of 10
~Azazel