CoC : In Velvet Clouds - The Frozen Immensity : Review

In Velvet Clouds - _The Frozen Immensity_
by: Pedro Azevedo (3 out of 5)

When I saw this debuting Portuguese band live [CoC #21], I mentioned the fact that they had two dedicated vocalists (a grunter and a screamer) who provided an entertaining live performance. I also described them as being "an aggressive mix of Cradle of Filth and Brutal Truth." That's how they did sound live, but after listening to their demo tape, I must say that there's no Brutal Truth to their sound, and even the Cradle of Filth influences aren't so huge - still easy to notice, though, namely on the keyboards; however, things are usually slower than CoF. This 30-minute demo tape shows a better balance of aggression and melody than their live set, and my overall opinion about this band is better now, even though they did sound much more powerful live. "... And I Wish to Die" (been listening to early Anathema, guys?) shows what the band is all about: the two vocalists, mid/fast-paced metal with some melodic parts provided by the keyboards and guitar. "With Crows I Fly" is slower, doomier, with a steady (yet a bit simple) keyboard melodic background and a poor attempt at copying Cradle of Filth's female vocals; the lead guitar shows up again, but much less effectively. "Glacier Winter" doesn't add anything new, the bad news being that the quality is again lower than before. However, "Drops of Life" shows In Velvet Clouds back in top shape, as in the first track, and finisher "A Lilt in Your Dream" keeps up the pace. What ends up subtracting one from the 4 out of 5 rating they deserved is the production, which is rather fuzzy, their lack of originality, and a few minor details. Still, a good demo with a few good highlights, clearly better than the average 3 out of 5.

Contact: Jose Ricardo, Rua Manuel Fernando Tomas n.17

(article published 14/9/1997)

GIGS
11/17/1997	P Azevedo	Morbid Death / Nocturnal Symphony / In Velvet Clouds / 2 Kill	Portuguese Potential Part II
7/6/1997	P Azevedo	Cradle of Filth / In Velvet Clouds / Web	Filth