DARK SANCTUARY “Exaudi Vocem Mean, Part I” /CD/

The South American release of the fifth full-length album by French Neoclassical Darkwave/Gothic band.
Dark Sanctuary is a French outfit that originally started as a one man band on a 1996 demo cassette. The music played by Dark Sanctuary is a very lovely, lush and melancholy style of Darkwave. The band offers floating soprano vocals, courtesy of Marquise Ermia, synthesizers, violin, acoustic guitar and piano to create their music. Their songs are brooding, contemplative, but always beautiful in execution. There is a sense of being in a cathedral while in mourning, due to the mood this album creates.
Dark Sanctuary describes themselves as a band who create "Dark Atmospheric" music. While this may not be as outstanding as, for instance, Elend's recent efforts, it is nonetheless worth considering outside that frame of reference, for its purpose appears to be different. A much more linear, tranquil and melodic album, part one of "Exaudi Vocem Mean" is an acoustic record, with some percussion, a lot of guitar, violin and piano, and plenty of angelic female singing. (The third track, "Dein Kalter Stein", features Schwadorf of Empyrium, Sun Of The Sleepless and The Vision Bleak fame on vocals, but that is almost the only male vocal performance on the album).
A silky smooth album, delicate to the point of fragility at times, "Exaudi Vocem Meam - Part I" can just as easily profit from that unstable balance as it can occasionally become long-winded and falter somewhat. It requires a certain disposition in order to be fully enjoyed and while in those circumstances it can work really well; it can otherwise lose the listener much more easily. If tragic, darkly romantic atmospheric music, artists such as Elend or Autumn Tears (or to a lesser extent My Dying Bride's non-Metal tracks) pique your interest, then this record should be a very worthwhile addition to your collection!
The Neo-Classical music is very well realized and performed by this band. The CD is very lengthy, but is a wonderful listen for when one is in the proper mindset for it. Fans of Die Verbannten Kinder Eva's, Black Tape For A Blue Girl or those who wish to hear a friendlier version of Elend should most definitely check out Dark Sanctuary.
Glorious soundscapes in the vein of Dead Can Dance from the Dark Ambience/Atmlospheric specialists!!
Avantgarde Music/Orion Music Entertainment,2005 (OME004). Made in Argentina.


Tracklist:
1. Ouverture 2:33
2. Elle Et L'aube 7:40
3. Dein Kalter Stein 5:56
4. Memento Mei 6:51
5. The Garden Of Jane Delawney 3:55
6. Cristal 6:51
7. Mon Errance 3:50
8. A Mes Ennemis 8:05
9. Sortie Du Cloitre 5:02
10. Des Illusions 4:19
11. Je M' En Irai 7:19
Total playing time: 62:21


Samples: http://www.last.fm