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Now, for the first time ever, this essential release is available on 12" vinyl to celebrate its 30th anniversary. A powerful fusion of doom and death metal, enriched with melodic and gothic overtones, it evokes deep nostalgia and melancholia. Emerging in the same fertile era that birthed the early works of Anathema, Draconian, My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, and Amorphis, ...And the Wings Embraced Us stands as a timeless statement-its emotional weight and artistic vision still resonating three decades later. Carefully remastered for vinyl by Achilleas Kalantzis (Varathron, Aenaon, and more) at Suncord Audiolab, this reissue honors the legacy with the care it deserves.
With ...And the Wings Embraced Us, Lacrimas Profundere took a bold first step into the shadowy realm of gothic doom/death metal, laying the foundation for what would become a distinctly melancholic and poetic voice in the underground. Released in 1995, this debut is raw and ambitious-at times fragile in execution, but brimming with emotion and potential.
What immediately sets this album apart is its unorthodox blend of styles. Deep growls, spoken word passages, and romantic, sorrow-drenched lyrics unfold over layers of atmospheric guitars and rich classical instrumentation. The addition of violin, flute, piano, and soprano vocals might sound overreaching on paper, yet in context, they lend the record a uniquely tragic and baroque character. Tracks like "Snow" and "Perfume of Withered Roses" reach for beauty and heartache in equal measure, creating moments that feel more like a soundtrack to a forgotten dream than a traditional metal album.
While the production is undeniably lo-fi, with muffled drums and buried guitars, it contributes a ghostly charm to the material. There's a sense that this album was created not for polish, but for catharsis. The band's youthful sincerity bleeds through every passage, especially in the interplay between crushing doom riffs and airy classical melodies. "Amorous" stands out as a clear highlight, its emotional arc unfolding with a rare cohesion and elegance. The flute and violin are no longer ornaments-they're woven into the very heart of the song's storytelling.
At times, the ambition exceeds the technical reach, and the transitions between sections can feel sudden or unrefined. Yet rather than detracting from the experience, these flaws humanize it. They remind the listener that this is a debut-an intimate, handmade effort by young musicians striving to find their voice. And in that struggle, there's beauty.
...And the Wings Embraced Us is more than just a curious artifact of 90s doom/death. It's a sincere and emotionally rich album that speaks to the genre's romantic potential. For fans of early Anathema, My Dying Bride, and other bands who dared to bring poetry and fragility into extreme metal, this record remains a poignant, if imperfect, gem. A noble first flight into darkness-one that still casts a long, mournful shadow.
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