Virgin Black
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| Virgin Black | |
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 Virgin Black at Elements of Rock in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Adelaide, Australia |
| Genre(s) | Symphonic metal Gothic metal Doom metal |
| Years active | 1993 - present |
| Label(s) | Massacre Records The End |
| Website | Official Website |
| Members | |
| Rowan London Samantha Escarbe Grayh Luke Faz |
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| Former members | |
| Dino Cielo Craig Edis Ian Miller Aaron Nicholls Brad Bessel Graham Billing Mark Kelson (Tour Guitarist Only) |
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Virgin Black is an Australian band that combines gothic-doom and symphonic metal influences. Signed to The End Records (US) and Massacre Records (EU), the band has released 4 albums and 1 EP. Formed in 1993 in Adelaide, they have achieved international acclaim during their career, receiving praise from such magazines as Orkus, Metal Hammer and The Village Voice.[1] Having changed their line-up several times, Virgin Black currently consists of the founding members and main songwriters Samantha Escarbe (guitar) and Rowan London (keyboard, vocals), with Grayh (bass) and Luke Faz (drums) joining in 2007.
While members of Virgin Black have Christian beliefs, the band has often sought to explain that its music is an exploration of spirituality and attempts to highlight the difference between the Church and the spiritual aspects of Christianity[2]. The group explains the meaning of its name as "the juxtaposition of purity and humanity's darkness".[3]
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[edit] Band history
[edit] Early days
Virgin Black was originally formed in Adelaide by guitarist Samantha Escarbe, and vocalist and keyboards-player Rowan London.
In 1995, Virgin Black recorded a four-track self-titled demo in a doom/death style. Due to the rarity and demand for this recording, the band has speculated that it may be re-released at some point.
Their Trance EP was released in 1998, and the group began gaining international recognition with that recording.[3] This EP was later included as part of a special limited edition (U.S. only) with the band's debut album, Sombre Romantic.
[edit] Record deal
The group began recording their first full-length album Sombre Romantic in 1999. The album displays an expansively cinematic, symphonic style with London contributing a diverse vocal style from shrieks and growls to soaring melodies and choral chants. On the strength of this self-released debut, Virgin Black signed to Germany's Massacre Records for Europe and also to the US label The End. Both labels then released Sombre Romantic in their territories.[4]
After completing their second album during 2002, Virgin Black played at Germany's Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival in 2003 and did a tour through the US west coast with Agalloch and Antimatter before returning to Australia and conducting a national tour. Elegant... and Dying featured Escarbe contributing cello and guest musician Sonia Wilkie playing flute. It was released in November and a month later the band appeared at the Metal for the Brain festival in Canberra. Early the following year, Virgin Black toured alongside Opeth in Australia, and later did a tour of the Australian east coast capitals with Sydney black metal band Nazxul before making a start on their next recordings.[5]
[edit] Requiem trilogy
Virgin Black's next project began with London and Escarbe composing a series of scores for what was to become the three-volume Requiem set. On 10 March 2006, The End Records issued a press release explaining the upcoming releases. The first part of the trilogy, Requiem - Pianissimo, is a strictly classically-oriented album featuring the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, choral singing, and solo singers. Requiem - Mezzo Forte features music similar to the band's previous releases with the last part Requiem – Fortissimo primarily having a death/doom metal sound. The albums were recorded primarily as the duo of London and Escarbe over the course of almost two years, during which Rowan London suffered the death of his father. Originally designed to be released simultaneously in 2006, on 23 July, The Labels announced that the albums would instead be released during 2007 in a staggered time scale. The second part of the trilogy, Requiem - Mezzo Forte was issued first, on 3 April, 2007.[6]
With a new line-up of Escarbe, London, Grayh on bass and drummer Luke Faz. Virgin Black played some Australian shows with Arcturus in March and headlined the Elements of Rock Festival in Switzerland in April. Mark Kelson of The Eternal joined them as guest-guitarist for these live performances. Virgin Black announced a US tour for June and July 2007, and played shows on the east and west coast of the U.S. with To/Die/For and headlined shows in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara.
The third part and the second installment in the Requiem trilogy, Requiem - Fortissimo was released in February 19, 2008 by The End Records. The Massacre Records release date remains unknown.[7] Virgin Black will team up with Amorphis, Leaves' Eyes, and Samael for a North American tour this fall.[8]
[edit] Discography
- Released: 1995
- Format: demo
- Tracks: "Veil of Tears", "Black Corsage", "Mother of Cripples", "Anthem"
- Released: 1998
- Format: CD
- Tracks: "Opera de Trance", "A Saint is Weeping", "Whispers of Dead Sisters"
[edit] References
- ^ Seward, Scott. Dirging Down Under. The Village Voice. September 24-30 2003. retrieved on 2008-01-07
- ^ Violent Solutions Magazine interview with Rowan London from the band's official website
- ^ a b Rivadavia, Ed. Virgin Black. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
- ^ Rivadavia, Ed. Virgin Black - Sombre Romantic. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
- ^ Rivadavia, Ed. Virgin Black - Elegant... and Dying. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
- ^ Rivadavia, Ed. Virgin Black - Requiem - Mezzo Forte. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
- ^ Rivadavia, Ed. Virgin Black - Requiem - Fortissimo. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
- ^ Virgin Black Amorphis, Leaves' Eyes, and Samael: North American Tour Dates Announced - Mar. 19, 2008. Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
