Fidia

If it’s dark stuff, tell me what you want. Better if it’s from the eighties. You know, I have a lot of admiration for that decade.

Let me tell you, I've been mainly listening to Killing Joke, Sound, Siouxsie, Sisters of Mercy, and generally a certain kind of dark - new wave during this period. By the way, Airone, could you suggest any other names that are, let's say, more underground?

Just think, I was about to say the same thing.
One thing I'd like to add is that, unfortunately, in today’s metal (especially the American one, which is objectively crap) just like in the past, there have been tons of garbage, and maybe that’s why beautiful records like this one and many others aren’t appreciated as they should be, because there will always be detractors who say: ah, this is metal? Then it's crap.
That’s a point of view that is definitely debatable.
Alas, we still have to cope with the thousands of kids who listen to Slipknot or Rhapsody and who certainly don’t help increase the interest that a listener of another genre might have towards metal, because they might think that metal is just that.
Well, just a little venting, I’ll get over it ;-D

You're right, Dying, I completely share your point of view, and I must say that I absolutely cannot stand the purists of heavy metal, and I too am a lover of classical influences (of course, not of that trash nu that's so trendy today) in metal and music in general.
I just wanted to say that perhaps it would have been better to add metal in addition to classical and gothic; otherwise, an inexperienced reader might be misled by what you've written.
No criticism or controversy. Just a small note.

Your point of view, Dying, is understandable and respectable, but perhaps Airone is right. Defining this album as a classic is a bit of a stretch. Sure, if you compare it to the stuff you mentioned, Therion are Mozart in comparison. As for Haggard, I would find them a good band if it weren't for the horrible singing that really doesn't have a blessed thing to do with the rest of the band.

Always for Tep: I disagree with what you said. This album is definitely very different from any Katatonia record, let alone Candlemass. It’s a romantic gothic, meaning it’s gentler, sweeter, and more poetic. I also disagree with what you said about female vocals. Sure, singing plays a significant role in this genre as in all others, but in my opinion, it transcends any gender distinction; otherwise, we would have to disregard excellent bands like Katatonia, Anathema, Tiamat, Moonspell, and others that have shaped this genre. Gothic is like good wine. If it's from a good vintage and important bands (meaning albums released in the first half of the 90s, with the necessary exceptions, of course), it’s definitely worth having. Currently, perhaps only Katatonia themselves can hold a candle to the past. Just look at the latest Memorial by Moonspell, a band that has made history in the genre with their beautiful debut Wolfheart. They’ve suddenly turned into a black metal band, and not even one of the best. What a deep disappointment. Well, I’m digressing. Thanks again to everyone, especially to Mauri who compliments me for the second time in a row. Best regards.

I thank everyone for the compliments I've received.
A small note: there must be a reason why even someone with a hard heart (I mean regarding his musical tastes, of course) like Count Vlad Tepes has said that it's a well-made album.
To those undecided, I recommend giving it a listen and then letting me know.

Come on Savo, you definitely overdid it with the 5 in the review, as it seems more like a comment than anything else. Of a clearly minimal nature.
As for the album, it is certainly pleasant, and Ritchie's courage in radically changing genre must be praised, but apart from that, I find Blackmore's Night quite boring. This, however, I believe I can define as their best album.

Yes Emanuele, your judgment is respectable, but perhaps you haven't listened to the album which is truly amazing. One of the best for sure of the past decade in the gothic field and beyond, alongside that of the Gathering (even though this one is much less symphonic and more romantic doom), which I reviewed and I invite Dying Sun to read so they can share their thoughts with me.
Cult of Shadows is, simply put, fantastic.
A note of criticism goes to the horrendous artwork, one of the ugliest ever.
In any case, terrible covers are welcome if the sound content is of such quality.

What a coincidence, I just logged in.
Maybe it's true, I've been too harsh. I recognize that your review is well written.
Perhaps I let myself be influenced by the continuous reviews of the Theater that periodically appear on the site, mostly written by, let's say, definitely not very musically knowledgeable people. You, from what I've read, and aside from a few minor inaccuracies, are none of that, quite the opposite.
The fact is that in the past the band has been among my absolute favorites.
But recently, after not listening to them for a while, I revisited their entire discography, and I have to tell you the honest truth—the only albums that made me relive old emotions were IAW and Awake. This, combined with the countless nonsense written by band fanatics in the various reviews that have followed, is making me more critical of Labrie and the others.
I repeat, the rating I gave you was mainly for this reason, but the fact remains that the review is well written. Best regards.