Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tragic Gothic/Death Metal at it's best!, April 16, 2005
I had first heard about this band after reading about them in a "Metal Edge" (magazine) issue. When I read the word "choir" I knew that I must buy this cd. Penumbra is exellent, they have a very unique sound to them. This most recent release is a continuation of a concept started on their second album "The Last Bewitchment". Basically speaking, "Seclusion" continues the story of a male Angel who is in love a female Mortal. The tragedy that follows changes their lives forever. My favourite songs on this cd are:"Tragical Memories", "Seclusion", "Crimson Tail", "Conception", and "Enclosed" This band overall is great, and highly recommended for fans of "Sirenia", "Tristania", "Epica", "Nightwish", "Therion", etc...
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
French Metal!!!!!, January 18, 2005
this album is something that you should get into if you like doom metal. This band has three vocalist and all of them are different. Clean male vocals, black metal and clean high female vocals. This group hails from france, bringing with them a sound that can be discribe as a combination of nightwish and dimmu borgir. It might sound weird, but it fits just right, not over doing anything and still mainting the melody that make this band so great. this band crosses all kinds of metal types and this way it keeps the intensity and diversity that makes this album intersting. IF you bored of the same metal, and looking for something estraordinary than...give PENUMBRA a try.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A Truly Unique Band of Sophisticated Musicianship, March 13, 2009
Penumbra was my first introduction to "Goth Metal/Goth Rock", whatever sub-genre of Rock and Metal you wish to classify them instead of Hard Rock and Metal (I've never been a fan of all these different sub-genres that kids are creating these days). I expected to hear extremely depressing sounds and an entire album based on sorrow, but this is not the case with Penumbra, they are something unique and original. I don't view them as Gothic Rock, what comes to my mind is GREAT Hard Rock and Metal music.
Penumbra is a great musical endeavor, their two latest albums Seclusion and Bewitchment are thematic and weaves a story through the entirety of their albums. Seclusion is a continuation of the story that began in The Last Bewitchment, of a male angel in love with a female mortal and the tragedy that changes their lives. Every listen given to each song reveals something intricate one didn't hear the first time they listened to it. The guitar rhythms seem simple at first but a closer listen reveals complex picking patterns that are synchronized beautifully with the drumming. The bass player gives the listener nothing short of fantastic bass playing; the sound and presence of the bass guitar add to the overall richness and depth to each song. Completely unique to this band's style is their use of the Oboe in the melody, it makes for a beautiful and smooth sounding melody (very catchy as well as original!).
One can hear elements of classical influence in chord progression and voice leading which is done very sophisticatedly yet remains simple to the ear and easily enjoyable. Vocals are fantastic as well! We have at times, the trademark growling of harsh vocals in metal, and then we have clean male vocals completed with beautiful female vocals. A French octet choir can also be heard (bass-soprano voices of both genders) as well as a quartet of stringed instruments. The piano lines are great lead-ins and transitions into different segments of new episodes. Classical counterpoints can also be heard from both guitar players when space is provided to allow emotionally gripping harmonies.
Penumbra is one of a small number of bands and music groups that puts meaning into each aspect of their music, the concepts, the musical passages, the lyrics, the rhythm and tempo, everything you hear is a work of art that remains simple and ornate. You won't find any Michael Romeo or Yngwie technical guitar solos but you will hear brilliant and well thought out guitar phrases that incorporate other instruments into the atmosphere. A great work of art by great musicians in my opinion! If you don't believe me, listen for yourself and decide. 5 Stars all the way for me!
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~ Penumbra
~ Theatre of Tragedy
~ Within Temptation
~ Sirenia
~ Theatre of Tragedy
by Penumbra 
