Band:	Sarah Jezebel Deva
Album:	A Sign Of Sublime
Style:	Symphonic gothic metal
Release date:	February 2010
A review by:	KwonVerge

01. Genesis
02. A Sign Of Sublime
03. She Stands Like Stone
04. The Devils Opera
05. They Called Her Lady Tyranny
06. The Road To Nowhere
07. Your Woeful Chair
08. Newborn Failure
09. Daddy's Not Coming Home
10. Bitch [Meredith Brooks cover] [bonus]

I think that Sarah Jezebel Deva doesn't require specific coordindates of who she is, but I'll lend a few tips just in case, Cradle Of Filth, Therion, The Kovenant, Angtoria etc. Her vocals have haunted many wonderful pieces of music for quite many years, it was about time she released an album under her own name. And so A Sign Of Sublime saw the light of day during 2010, consisting of ten compositions, one of them, “Bitch”, being a Meredith Brooks cover, well, not actually, just a tiny bit heavier remake, but oh well, I don't like either versions.

Inevitably, some of the guitar passages, even keyboard-driven orchestrations, bring forth Cradle Of Filth memories, after all Dave Pybus and Martin Powell are responsible on these instruments here, the first being still member of the well-known UK metal act, the second in the past. But don't consider A Sign Of Sublime a Cradle Of Filth rip-off, it's only reminiscent at times. The title track (along with the intro) or “They Called Her Lady Tyranny” for example, there are moments you think Dani Filth's unearthly screams will enter and suddenly find yourself in the middle of Midian or something.

As for the rest of the album, one may find a wide variety of atmospheres, there are songs that move in generic symphonic/atmospheric or just female-fronted metal soundscapes (“She Stands Like Stone”, “The Road To Nowhere”, “Your Woeful Chair”), others being orchestral pieces with Sarah interpreting (“A Newborn Failure”, “The Devil's Opera”) or even pop lullabies (“Daddy's Not Coming Home”).

An interesting release, I was expecting something much better though from Sarah Jezebel Deva and for Christ's sake, a different cover! Sometimes it's better to sing someone else's songs rather than make your own and with this having been said, I wouldn't want to prevent her from composing again, it's neither my intension nor I think I will effect her this way, she's got both potential and experience. Until next time.