Customer Reviews

Lake of Sorrow

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

LAKE OF SORROW by The Sins of thy Beloved is a fantastic release by what, I think, is the best 'beauty and the beast' group around. Whats even more amazing is that this is their first major release. I've seen lots of ruminating by some reviewers that TSOTB, on one hand, was a poor imitation of the other T bands (Tristania, Theatre of Tragedy and Therion), although I can't figure out how Therion fits into the equation, and, on the other hand, they're not enough like the other T bands. I find it curious that different reviewers claim the opposite deficiencies. I think a review should be based, not upon what the reviewer would like to hear or read (in the case of books) but upon what they hear or read. This recording is a unit. It is either good , bad or in-between. I happen to think it is very good!I think you'll agree the cover art work is also very good. It really sets the tone for the included music.
Their are only seven songs but they average almost 8 minutes long. I rate no song below 4 stars and four at 5 stars. Clocking in @ 8:02 minutes 'Silent Pain' is for me the best track. Other 5 star tracks are 'Worthy of You', 'Lake of Sorrow', and 'All Alone'.
The music, which is Romatic,dark symphonic metal (beauty and the beast) style is well written and presented. The singing by Anita Auglend is effective, very pretty, subtle and haunting in keeping with the style of the music, which has a slow to medium pace. I get the feeling that Anita was holding back and is quite capable of more volumn. The instrumentation is gorgious and includes violin and piano playing both of which I'm partial to. The requisite growling is mild and not that offensive (I don't like the growling) thereby, perhaps, expanding an accepting audience.
I feel very comfortable recommending this to any person who has an affinity for any of the T bands (including Therion) and After Forever, Haggard, Penumbra, Within Temptation or any other so inclined band. A WINNER!

I'm really quite astonished about how much negative feedback this band has received on Amazon. Their music is very beautiful, subtle and relaxing while at the same time maintaining a very dark edge a la Tristania and Lacrimosa. Their singer Anita Auglend has a very angelic voice and brings something different to the genre. I am surprised that Pete Johanssen, the violinist of this record, was never an official band member, considering he seemingly gets more time on the album than anyone else from the band. The growling complements the music well, if a bit unnecessary. My only problem is the guitars - TSOTB have two guitarists and they're both drowned out for the most part. I wonder if that is due to the production, which comes off rather flat at times.

In terms of songwriting, the Sins of Thy Beloved write very long, epic-feeling numbers that really emphasize on atmosphere. Just after the opening growl on the delightfully chilling "My Love", I already felt like I was dragged down beneath the surface of this lake - just ready to explore the secrets it possessed underneath. The title track is another great example of the quality musicianship these guys (and two girls) maintain. "All Alone" and personal pick "Until the Dark" both feature some great vocal sections, which are sporadically placed throughout the bulk of the songs, allowing enough time for the violins and synths to leave an impression.

Overall, I would highly recommend Lake of Sorrow to anyone who enjoys beautiful gothic music. I'm not exactly certain as to the whereabouts of this band - but I do believe they split a few years ago, as their website was removed shortly after the confirmed departure of Anita Auglend.

9/10

I recieved in the mail both lake of sorrow and perpetual desolation at the same time and at first i enjoyed perpetual desolation more, but as i listened to lake of sorrow more and more i realized how awe inspiring it is, it is more piano and violin oriented than perpetual which makes it softer yet more beautiful. It is very comarable to Tristanias Widows Weeds, which is understandable considering they share a violinist. Overall, this disc is probably more played than perpetual desolation by me but id start with perpetual, then get this one.

I just received this album in the mail today. I put it in my cd player and I was instantly amazed when I heard the first couple of notes of the first song. Pete Johansen's amazing viollin playing skills add depth and sensuality to the album. Anita Auglend's voice is beautiful and angelic. Although this album is softer and gentler than Perpetual Desolation, it's still an excellent album. I recomend it to veterans of the goth metal scene as well as people who are just now being introduced to this beautiful, dark and sensual genre of music.

Searching for something as wonderful as TOT before the evil cd that is "Musique", I found this album to be absolutely beautiful. I love the violin, and the sound is that of the old TOT. I say, let them be a rip off, if they do it good, and they do, so who cares. We can't wait around for TOT to de-evolve back to the goth sound they used to have, and this is the logical step, we can move on. Keep the love for goth alive with TSOTB. There is only one problem with this cd, and it is the flow of female vocals (a little choppy, and almost forced), but I think that is just me being really picky.

Im yet to hear Napalm Records release a bad artist (tristania,Sirenia,Summoning,)and they still havent.The Sins of thy beloved belong up amongst the highest ranks of Gothic metal way above Mediocre bands such as lacuna coil who frankly dont have half the creativity or talent as TSOTB.This album is not recommended to anyone that is mentally unstable or has low self esteem,Its very very depressing.But for those of us that can handle it its absolutely beautiful.TSOTB are one of those few bands that dont just make music,they make feelings.Its the perfect soundtrack to a failed love story.Musicain wise its famtastic as well The keyboards are used to great affect and the violins by pete johansen (also helped out tristania and sirenia)are incredible.All alone being my personal Favourite with the Mid song sample followed by the gorgeous Violin part working to great affect.One of the best Goth Metal releases in a long time.

I've had this album for some time now. In fact it's received so much play - been borrowed by buddies of mine so often - that it's time to get a new copy. I don't care too much for their other releases - Lake of Sorrow is where it's at.

I'm so tired of people ranting and raving about this "Evanescense" band. Sure, Amy Lee is a hot but she's too damn whiny sounding. I can't stand them. People flipped their sh*t when they heard that album because it was so "refreshing and original". In Europe bands like TSoTB have been around doing this "refreshing and original" music since WAY before Evanescense sold their souls to a major record company and started getting overplayed on every single f*cking radio station. So give props to the bands who started this trend long long ago. Picking up The Sins of Thy Beloved's album "Lake of Sorrow" is a good place to start.

If you want pure and simple gothic/doom metal with angelic female vocals, typical male doom metal style grunts and growls, and symphonic atmosphere you have it right here in Lake of Sorrow. The violin playing is simply beautiful and at times sounds like it could be a movie soundtrack, like something right out of Braveheart.

Nothing uplifting about this album - each song is very sad and mournful with the most uplifting song maybe having a bit of a mysterious, suspensful mood to it. The track "All Alone" still gives me the shivvers towards the end of the song - in fact nearly each song on this disk gives me the shivvers and evokes great emotion within me. Every song here is a masterpiece. To describe this album in three words: Beautiful, sorrowful, musical. Nuff said.

You get almost an hour of music here, in 7 tracks.

I also recommend anything by Opeth and older Katatoina. And for all you Evanescense worshippers out there pick up Nightwish's "Oceanborn" for a TRUE female backed metal band. And yes, the female vocalist is hot.

I bought this cd on a whim didn't know if I would like it. The instant I heard the violin play on "My Love" I was hooked. I would recommened this cd over most other Gothic Metal exept for Tristania. Do not confuse real Gothic Metal such as The Sins of thy Beloved with fake Gothic Metal like Evanesence which is really (expletitive deleted).I think the violinist should be commended for his work on this cd he really made this cd what it is.

This is one of my favorite albums. Its very dark, very heavy, very powerful, creates such a mood. THis is somethign great to listen to an night chillin out by candlelight, or driving late at night on a long roadtrip. Its a little doomish although some people argue that but its got that angelic depressing mood, a little atmospheric. Anyways, its onwe of my favorite albums, allthe way through. Too bad the followup cd didn't capture the same feel. I recommend this highly.

I love this cd.
It took me a couple days to appreciate it, and a couple weeks to fully absorb it, but now I cannot deny the sway it has over me. This cd has brought tears to my eyes today, nobody much less a band has been able to do that for so long.

If you like REAL true gothic metal, heavy on romance and atmopshere, that weaves a very thick tapestry, then this cd is for you. Give it a chance.
At first youll think it's ok but nothing special, then youll find yourself coming back to it over and over again.

Dont ever leave me....