Review by Emma on April 14, 2009.

Ethereal Collapse offers an album that is as tight, clean and well run as a first world hospital. It also has all the soul and personality of a hospital. To begin, the album artwork is misleading about what is actually in store for the listener. Popping in Ethereal Collapse’s "Breaching The Citadel" in without a second glance I expected something rather doom and gloom. I know, don’t judge a book by its cover, but seriously, the monochromatic Gothic architecture suggests and entirely different kind of sound and attitude than what Ethereal Collapse actually offers. Alas, I was instead greeted with a bad case of cookie cutter melodic Death Metal. There is a little bit of Thrash heard here and there, but most of it screams Soilwork. I’ll start off on the positive points here. For a self-released album this is very well produced. I’d say that is one of the strongest points of the album altogether. The drums are a bit distracting in the opening track ‘A Tragedy Divine’ But otherwise I have no qualms with it. All the songs have a solid structure and none of them I would call boring. But there is just way too much sweep picking for my taste. It’s in every song to the point of being overwhelming! The vocals are also too close to hardcore for comfort. When it really comes down to the entire sound of Ethereal Collapse, ‘neatly packaged’ is the description that struck me. The sound has been so tightly bound in plastic wrap that any characteristics distinguishing this band have been squeezed out. The lyrics are equally lacking in flavor. ‘A Tragedy Divine’ is about ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ which the writer bothered to explain to the audience just in case we couldn’t figure it out. Of all the classic epic tales of love out there to choose, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is the most rehashed of them that Hollywood (and the public school system) has taken under its wing. The rest of the lyrics also start to dabble in ‘deep subjects’ but don’t make a convincing argument. Altogether "Breaching the Citadel" isn’t a badly done album, fans of Soilwork, In Flames, and Dragonforce will get a kick out of it, but there isn’t anything here I would return to.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:5
Atmosphere:4.5
Production:7
Originality:2
Overall: 6

Rating: 4.9 out of 10

Review by Krys on February 19, 2002.

From the kings of melancholy, The End Records, comes another release that will shake your world and open yet another softer side of your mind that you probably didn’t know existed.

If I had to add a picture behind the music it would be about a man who sacrificed his life for the love of his life that happened to be Death itself hidden behind the face of the most beautiful creature that walked the earth. OK, maybe I wouldn’t win the Oscar for the most original idea but add Virgin Black “Sombre Romantic” as a soundtrack behind it and you’ll get chills down your spine, guaranteed.

Chants of monks, dreamy classical arrangements, cold and thunderous strokes of drums, crying guitar solos and amazing voice of Rowan London that sounds like nothing you’ve encountered before (at least not in metal), makes “Sombre Romantic” one of the most unique and original releases I’ve heard.

The closest description for the vocals I can muster is a mix of Far East texture with a deep and strong command so well controlled that without words it can plummet you into sorrow or anger and it makes me constantly click repeat to satisfy my bleeding soul.

While the Rowan’s voice is the driving force on this album, the rest of the band doesn’t just fill the holes but rather creates a dark and romantic background where all instruments are used with a perfect touch without creating too complex or mood breaking lines. Finding the best track here is almost impossible ‘cause each song has its own identity and while being so distinct they still construct the whole concept wonderfully.

The only unnecessary moments are techno-esque beats on ‘Walk Without Limbs’ and ‘Lamenting Kiss’ but those minor flaws on “Sombre Romantic” are not even worth further examination because they drown in an ocean of sorrow and beauty that emanates from this masterpiece. Just dim the lights and turn up the volume...

Bottom Line: Virgin Black; I haven’t even heard this name before but from now on I’ll make sure every release that comes out from this great band will find its way to my collection. (Their 1998 “Trance” is already coming.)

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 9
Originality: 10
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Review by Krys on February 19, 2002.

From the kings of melancholy, The End Records, comes another release that will shake your world and open yet another softer side of your mind that you probably didn’t know existed.

If I had to add a picture behind the music it would be about a man who sacrificed his life for the love of his life that happened to be Death itself hidden behind the face of the most beautiful creature that walked the earth. OK, maybe I wouldn’t win the Oscar for the most original idea but add Virgin Black “Sombre Romantic” as a soundtrack behind it and you’ll get chills down your spine, guaranteed.

Chants of monks, dreamy classical arrangements, cold and thunderous strokes of drums, crying guitar solos and amazing voice of Rowan London that sounds like nothing you’ve encountered before (at least not in metal), makes “Sombre Romantic” one of the most unique and original releases I’ve heard.

The closest description for the vocals I can muster is a mix of Far East texture with a deep and strong command so well controlled that without words it can plummet you into sorrow or anger and it makes me constantly click repeat to satisfy my bleeding soul.

While the Rowan’s voice is the driving force on this album, the rest of the band doesn’t just fill the holes but rather creates a dark and romantic background where all instruments are used with a perfect touch without creating too complex or mood breaking lines. Finding the best track here is almost impossible ‘cause each song has its own identity and while being so distinct they still construct the whole concept wonderfully.

The only unnecessary moments are techno-esque beats on ‘Walk Without Limbs’ and ‘Lamenting Kiss’ but those minor flaws on “Sombre Romantic” are not even worth further examination because they drown in an ocean of sorrow and beauty that emanates from this masterpiece. Just dim the lights and turn up the volume...

Bottom Line: Virgin Black; I haven’t even heard this name before but from now on I’ll make sure every release that comes out from this great band will find its way to my collection. (Their 1998 “Trance” is already coming.)

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 9
Originality: 10
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Review by Krys on February 19, 2002.

From the kings of melancholy, The End Records, comes another release that will shake your world and open yet another softer side of your mind that you probably didn’t know existed.

If I had to add a picture behind the music it would be about a man who sacrificed his life for the love of his life that happened to be Death itself hidden behind the face of the most beautiful creature that walked the earth. OK, maybe I wouldn’t win the Oscar for the most original idea but add Virgin Black “Sombre Romantic” as a soundtrack behind it and you’ll get chills down your spine, guaranteed.

Chants of monks, dreamy classical arrangements, cold and thunderous strokes of drums, crying guitar solos and amazing voice of Rowan London that sounds like nothing you’ve encountered before (at least not in metal), makes “Sombre Romantic” one of the most unique and original releases I’ve heard.

The closest description for the vocals I can muster is a mix of Far East texture with a deep and strong command so well controlled that without words it can plummet you into sorrow or anger and it makes me constantly click repeat to satisfy my bleeding soul.

While the Rowan’s voice is the driving force on this album, the rest of the band doesn’t just fill the holes but rather creates a dark and romantic background where all instruments are used with a perfect touch without creating too complex or mood breaking lines. Finding the best track here is almost impossible ‘cause each song has its own identity and while being so distinct they still construct the whole concept wonderfully.

The only unnecessary moments are techno-esque beats on ‘Walk Without Limbs’ and ‘Lamenting Kiss’ but those minor flaws on “Sombre Romantic” are not even worth further examination because they drown in an ocean of sorrow and beauty that emanates from this masterpiece. Just dim the lights and turn up the volume...

Bottom Line: Virgin Black; I haven’t even heard this name before but from now on I’ll make sure every release that comes out from this great band will find its way to my collection. (Their 1998 “Trance” is already coming.)

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 9
Originality: 10
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Review by Krys on February 19, 2002.

From the kings of melancholy, The End Records, comes another release that will shake your world and open yet another softer side of your mind that you probably didn’t know existed.

If I had to add a picture behind the music it would be about a man who sacrificed his life for the love of his life that happened to be Death itself hidden behind the face of the most beautiful creature that walked the earth. OK, maybe I wouldn’t win the Oscar for the most original idea but add Virgin Black “Sombre Romantic” as a soundtrack behind it and you’ll get chills down your spine, guaranteed.

Chants of monks, dreamy classical arrangements, cold and thunderous strokes of drums, crying guitar solos and amazing voice of Rowan London that sounds like nothing you’ve encountered before (at least not in metal), makes “Sombre Romantic” one of the most unique and original releases I’ve heard.

The closest description for the vocals I can muster is a mix of Far East texture with a deep and strong command so well controlled that without words it can plummet you into sorrow or anger and it makes me constantly click repeat to satisfy my bleeding soul.

While the Rowan’s voice is the driving force on this album, the rest of the band doesn’t just fill the holes but rather creates a dark and romantic background where all instruments are used with a perfect touch without creating too complex or mood breaking lines. Finding the best track here is almost impossible ‘cause each song has its own identity and while being so distinct they still construct the whole concept wonderfully.

The only unnecessary moments are techno-esque beats on ‘Walk Without Limbs’ and ‘Lamenting Kiss’ but those minor flaws on “Sombre Romantic” are not even worth further examination because they drown in an ocean of sorrow and beauty that emanates from this masterpiece. Just dim the lights and turn up the volume...

Bottom Line: Virgin Black; I haven’t even heard this name before but from now on I’ll make sure every release that comes out from this great band will find its way to my collection. (Their 1998 “Trance” is already coming.)

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 9
Originality: 10
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Review by Krys on February 19, 2002.

From the kings of melancholy, The End Records, comes another release that will shake your world and open yet another softer side of your mind that you probably didn’t know existed.

If I had to add a picture behind the music it would be about a man who sacrificed his life for the love of his life that happened to be Death itself hidden behind the face of the most beautiful creature that walked the earth. OK, maybe I wouldn’t win the Oscar for the most original idea but add Virgin Black “Sombre Romantic” as a soundtrack behind it and you’ll get chills down your spine, guaranteed.

Chants of monks, dreamy classical arrangements, cold and thunderous strokes of drums, crying guitar solos and amazing voice of Rowan London that sounds like nothing you’ve encountered before (at least not in metal), makes “Sombre Romantic” one of the most unique and original releases I’ve heard.

The closest description for the vocals I can muster is a mix of Far East texture with a deep and strong command so well controlled that without words it can plummet you into sorrow or anger and it makes me constantly click repeat to satisfy my bleeding soul.

While the Rowan’s voice is the driving force on this album, the rest of the band doesn’t just fill the holes but rather creates a dark and romantic background where all instruments are used with a perfect touch without creating too complex or mood breaking lines. Finding the best track here is almost impossible ‘cause each song has its own identity and while being so distinct they still construct the whole concept wonderfully.

The only unnecessary moments are techno-esque beats on ‘Walk Without Limbs’ and ‘Lamenting Kiss’ but those minor flaws on “Sombre Romantic” are not even worth further examination because they drown in an ocean of sorrow and beauty that emanates from this masterpiece. Just dim the lights and turn up the volume...

Bottom Line: Virgin Black; I haven’t even heard this name before but from now on I’ll make sure every release that comes out from this great band will find its way to my collection. (Their 1998 “Trance” is already coming.)

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 9
Originality: 10
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Review by Krys on February 19, 2002.

From the kings of melancholy, The End Records, comes another release that will shake your world and open yet another softer side of your mind that you probably didn’t know existed.

If I had to add a picture behind the music it would be about a man who sacrificed his life for the love of his life that happened to be Death itself hidden behind the face of the most beautiful creature that walked the earth. OK, maybe I wouldn’t win the Oscar for the most original idea but add Virgin Black “Sombre Romantic” as a soundtrack behind it and you’ll get chills down your spine, guaranteed.

Chants of monks, dreamy classical arrangements, cold and thunderous strokes of drums, crying guitar solos and amazing voice of Rowan London that sounds like nothing you’ve encountered before (at least not in metal), makes “Sombre Romantic” one of the most unique and original releases I’ve heard.

The closest description for the vocals I can muster is a mix of Far East texture with a deep and strong command so well controlled that without words it can plummet you into sorrow or anger and it makes me constantly click repeat to satisfy my bleeding soul.

While the Rowan’s voice is the driving force on this album, the rest of the band doesn’t just fill the holes but rather creates a dark and romantic background where all instruments are used with a perfect touch without creating too complex or mood breaking lines. Finding the best track here is almost impossible ‘cause each song has its own identity and while being so distinct they still construct the whole concept wonderfully.

The only unnecessary moments are techno-esque beats on ‘Walk Without Limbs’ and ‘Lamenting Kiss’ but those minor flaws on “Sombre Romantic” are not even worth further examination because they drown in an ocean of sorrow and beauty that emanates from this masterpiece. Just dim the lights and turn up the volume...

Bottom Line: Virgin Black; I haven’t even heard this name before but from now on I’ll make sure every release that comes out from this great band will find its way to my collection. (Their 1998 “Trance” is already coming.)

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 9
Originality: 10
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.4 out of 10