Ebony Tears - Tortura Insomniae

I picked this up during a massive CD order back in 2000, and really enjoyed how different of an approach it took on a rather familiar sound. It's a hard one to listen to on repeat and the production sounds quite dated now, though perhaps a remaster would fix that. But the addition of session violins on several tracks (by Lennart Glenberg) keep the curiosity there long enough to get a diverse feel (and a healthy dose of clean vox). "Opacity" was in regular rotation during a metal radio show I did back then, and "With Tears In My Eyes," "Spoonbender," and "Nectars Of Eden" are quite good too. The lyrics are self-defeating, negative across the board, but the high angst in every track keeps it far from hopeless in themes.

Written by deadone on 08.01.2015 at 23:59

I used to play it regularly in 1998/99 - it was one of the first melodic death albums I brought. But I was really depressed then so it made sense.


After a while it got tedious and once I got my shit together it just seemed whiny.

That's interesting to read, and I wonder if my enthusiasm for depressive music will vanish as I mature (and hopefully...really hopefully) outgrow/get a new perspective on my depression. As it stands, I have been completely obsessed with Ebony Tears since I found them about a year ago.

Fav track Involuntary Existence

I would happily worship at the church of Freak Jesus. Sounds like the most dope religion ever.

Best debut album ever. Fantastic melodic death metal