The first thing that I liked about _Verbo_ were Daniel Lucas's clean vocals. Although he also utilises serviceable harsh vocals, it is his clean singing that helps colour the songs with emotion. With long songs (a couple clocking over the eight minute mark) the band keeps their structure fluid, alternating between soft and fast passages, employing acoustic guitars as well as carefully placed piano and guitar solos. "NightShift" is a great example of how they can mix all these elements into a cohesive and thoroughly enjoyable and emotional song. In "Expire", Daniel's voice is accompanied by violin and everything is kept to acoustic levels. Closer "The Sin Path" ever so slightly reminds me of Paragon of Beauty's final album.

I believe there is a lot of potential in Painted Black, and I thoroughly enjoyed _Verbo_. If they stick with their line-up and find a label to guide them in their first steps, they could develop into a talented atmospheric metal band.