Opera IX Albums (5)
What The Critics Say
When female lead vocalist Cadaveria left Opera IX and formed her own band (also called Cadaveria), some fans of the Italian outfit were worried. Cadaveria did her part to make Opera IX one of the more unusual bands in symphonic black metal, which -- like the death metal/black metal field in general -- is very male-dominated. There have been other death metal and black metal units that had female singers (including France's Hypnosis and Italy's Lifend), but they are definitely the exception instead of the rule. How well would Opera IX fare without Cadaveria, fans wondered? But while her departure was a major loss for Opera, it was by no means a fatal blow. Recorded in 2004, Anphisbena finds a post-Cadaveria lineup -- M the Bard on lead vocals, founder Ossian on guitar, Lunaris on keyboards, Vlad on bass, and Dalamar on drums -- getting along nicely. It's important to remember that Opera is Ossian's band; he founded an early lineup back in 1988 (before they were symphonic black metal and before Cadaveria came on board), and he's no dummy. Opera continues in the symphonic black metal style on Anphisbena, incorporating elements of goth rock and medieval music and providing material that is forceful, loud, and intense yet melodic and intricate. The most extreme thing about Anphisbena is M the Bard's lead vocals; his rasp is over-the-top and downright sinister. Nonetheless, this 66-minute CD is highly musical, and Anphisbena is not an exercise in bombast for the sake of bombast; that is true on Opera's original material (which dominates the album) as well as a memorable cover of Bathory's "One Road to Asa Bay." Anphisbena isn't Opera IX's best or most essential release, but it's a respectable addition to their catalog and demonstrates that there is indeed life after Cadaveria for the Italian headbangers. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'The Black Opera: Symphoniae Mysteriorum in Lauden Tenebrarum'
Release Date 6/12/2000
Tracks 7
Label Avantgarde
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Opera IX, who hails from some unidentified county locale between Milan and Turin, made a name for themselves in the '90s as one of southern Europe's upcoming metal groups. On this, their third full-length and first concept LP, they deliver the album that many thought they could make -- a brutal, epic record whose sound ranges from black to classic heavy metal. As with other Opera IX albums, the hook is the voice of Cadaveria, their female lead singer. It's no soprano wailing, as opera might lead you to believe, just grim, guttural howling. Truly vicious, she's one of the best frontwomen out there. The Black Opera Symphoniae Mysteriorum in Lauden Tenebrarum -- a heavy mouthful, but then again, it is a concept album. Cadaveria explains, "Lyrically this album is a magic and ritualistic journey into the sects of occultism described as an imaginary walk done by a spiritual warrior." Over the course of six songs, the warrior, led by Shaytan, the bringer of light, journeys toward supreme knowledge. Act one is the departure; Act two is the first evocation; in Act three he encounters evil and sex; the warrior communes with his astral spirit in act four; and in acts five and six he consolidates his new powers and offers a last evocation. OK, so that's not terribly interesting but something could be lost in translation. Either way, Opera IX still rocks; as does their cover of "Bela Lugosi's Dead," which rounds out the album. Unfortunately, Cadaveria and drummer Flegias left the band in 2001 to form Cadaveria, which means this could be the last really good Opera IX album. ~ Brian Whitener, All Music Guide
