SYMPHONAIRE INFERNUS ET SPERA EMPYRIUM

This EP caused a huge stir in the extreme metal scene when released back in 1992. I remember I got it and fell for it big time. From there on, I have followed My Dying Bride as more or less a fan. I also happens to think that My Dying Bride deserve to be included in PA.

The title track on this EP is no less a dark, bombastic progressive epic. All twelve minutes of it. It starts with a violin and continues as a dark funeral dirge with solid references to the a (Richard) Wagnerish world of darkness. Dante's Inferno, no less. This is the devil's lullaby, but without being an ode to him/her/it. An excellent epic song that indirectly made me into a proghead after a quick, fifteen years long detour into doom, death and black metal.

The other two tracks is more straight death-doom tracks. They are still good tracks. This EP is recommended as a good link between death metal and symphonic prog. The title track, at least.

3 stars