The Sins Of Thy Beloved
Perpetual Desolation

THE REVIEW

After the exhilarating "Lake Of Sorrow," released in 1998 under Napalm Records, many Gothic Metallers were eagerly awaiting the second platter from the Norwegian band.

In 2000, "Perpetual Desolation" was released, showcasing numerous stylistic shifts regarding the band's proposal: first of all, the music has become much more dynamic and aggressive, full of Death-influenced guitars (a metamorphosis similar to that of their fellow countrymen Tristania when they transitioned from "Widow’s Weed" to "Beyond The Veil"). The music once evoked natural and glacial scenarios, whereas now the references are primarily to the world of horror.
Even the growl has changed: no longer a background element but a central feature of the tracks. The keyboards and orchestrations still play a primary role, but these have been joined by the use of electronics. The only drawback is the fact that "Lake of Sorrow" was more personal, whereas in this new chapter, the references are abundant: Tristania, obviously, but also Theatre Of Tragedy, Cradle Of Filth (in the use of keyboards), Penumbria, Dismal Euphony, and Therion, although emotionally it manages to surpass even the excellent debut.

The CD opens with the violin notes of "The Flame Of Wrath," a beautiful and dark piece, which alternates aggressive and heavy moments with softer and more relaxing ones. After the almost 10 minutes of the first track, we move to the best piece of the platter: "Forever": a flowing, romantic, and celestial piece. The keyboards, the classic violin, and electronic inserts add color to the pieces. A masterpiece of intensity.
"Pandemonium" is a piece with a very combative opening. Anita sings excellently, and the violin inserts add a touch of iciness to the piece. "Partial Insanity" is a stunning piece, full of keyboards... In some moments, thanks to the use of electronics and choirs, it recalls the immortal "Opus Relinque" by Tristania. A very terrifying and scary piece, no doubt about it.

"Perpetual Desolation" opens in a very rhythmic way and has a strong impetus: a piece with very gothic and nocturnal atmospheres. Anita’s singing seems like a true cry for help from the horror conveyed by the piece! "Nebula Queen" is a calm and peaceful piece, close to the material of "Lake Of Sorrow," although it doesn't lack raucous riffs: the interlude by the keyboards and violin is beautiful. "The Morniful Euphony" is a classically gothic piece, endowed with a quite remarkable romantic and dark vein. Noteworthy is the interlude where the keyboards simulate a harpsichord from another time, taking the listener into a fairytale and remote dimension, but always within a dark perspective. "A Tormentated Soul" is the first piece I heard from the Scandinavian band and is perhaps the least successful episode of the entire work, lacking the magic of the other tracks.

The CD closes with an unexpected and energetic cover of Metallica: "The Thing That Should Not Be" reinterpreted in a gothic way without losing a bit of its original destructive charge. Overall, we are faced with an exciting work full of atmosphere and magic which, despite some limitations (like the not excellent originality), I recommend to all lovers of dual-voice Gothic Metal.