Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An awesome album!, May 13, 2004
Yep - another doom metal band. The thing is, Penumbra's great! I won't say that I love this album, but it is very, very enjoyable. One of the biggest things is how different each song is. I'm not sure if they are violins, but there are many non-typical instruments (probably synthesized) to add a lot of emotion to the songs. The opener will draw your attention, and then the 2nd song will make you realize that you are in for a treat. There is a 2 minute outro, making the album only about 46 minutes. That's a bit disappointing for doom metal - normally these kinds of albums are long (World of Glass, Lake of Sorrow, Tears of Mortal Solitude, Elegant and Dying). On the other hand, the best part of the album is how there is something in it for everybody. I wish I could get the chance to play the ballad, "Testament" (longest song on the album clocking at 7:05), for one of my classes and tell me what they think of it. It seems like a rock ballad at first, but just after the 4 minute mark, the song does something I've never heard before. Operatic choirs join the sound after this point. This song is just beautiful. Its my favorite on the album, if I didn't already say. Vocals? The female vocals aren't as operatic as Tristania's or Nightwish's. She's more like a Floor Jansen style voice (After Forever's vocalist). A lot of people compare this band to Tristania, which means you also have to compare it to Sirenia. Recall that Sirenia is heavier than Tristania. Penumbra doesn't fit into that equation, but of all the bands I've heard, this is the closest I've ever heard a band come to their sounds. The songs aren't that slow (Tristania is pretty slow) and are a bit more happy-sounding. (I can't read my notes.) Either track 4 or 9 sounds classical to me. Keyboards are very apparent and add atmosphere that will please Nightwish fans, like me. Again, this album has something for everyone. I recommend it highly. If you like this, purchase some albums by the bands listed above, or the albums listed above. At least listen to some samples. When you get the time, please go read some of my other reviews and say if they were helpful to you or not. Thanks.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT!!!, February 5, 2004
I can see why some people would not like this album, especially if you go into it expecting something similar to Tristania or metal-era Theatre of Tragedy, but my personal verdict is that it was a great purchase.The songs are much more mellow and symphonic than what you'd hear from, say, Tristania's Beyond The Veil. You can't really compare the two, but for argument's sake, I still listen to Tristania more than Penumbra. Anyway, the female singer (why the hell did she call herself 'Medusa'? She's about as ugly as a Rolls-Royce is cheap) is excellent, and the extreme vocals are almost flawlessly executed. The guitar use is not constant or consistent, but it is worthy of mention, and the bass actually stands out quite nicely in some cases. "Testament" is the standout track for me. The band employs great keyboard and synthesizer arrangements, and enhances their sound with the use of a four-member orchestra (2 violins, a viola, and a cello) and an eight-piece choir. All placed together, the resultant sound is passably unique and very enjoyable. As far as lyrics, the story line is pretty creative, and (*gasp*) it's not a load of blasphemy! On a side note, I'm really getting tired of reviewers whining and complaining about the use of death/black vocals in this type of metal. People, it's metal, it's not supposed to be all pretty and sensual. I play in a local band, and I use extreme vocals in addition to clean singing, and I tell people that, if they don't like it, then don't listen to it. But it's no reason to degrade a whole band just because you don't like their choice of vocal arrangements. They are still talented and passionate musicians; honestly, if you had any idea how much throat control it takes to produce that kind of vocal, I think you'd respect the musicians a lot more. For those who can accept a band for not selling themselves out to become 'the biggest thing in Europe,' and making music the way they feel it should be made, then I think you'll like this album. Heck, you'll probably love it; God knows I do!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Beautifully preformed gothic/death metal band! , April 15, 2005
Penumbra is by far one of the best gothic metal bands out there. This band's sound is very dark and tragic, I think it is also the most unique sound in Metal that's currently out. This band has: a death singer, a harsh death singer, a clean male singer, a female singer, a choir, and the lead death singer also plays the Oboe (an oboe is sort of like the clarinet). The guitars are great, but what really stands out is the keyboardist, choir, and the drummer. This is a great buy and highly recommended to anyone who is a fan of Epica, Sirenia, Tristania, Ashes You Leave, etc...
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by Penumbra 
