Painted Black
The Neverlight (CD) 2005 None
Portugal has produced a slew of very rich, quality bands, as evidenced by such acts as Process Of Guilt, Desire, and the legendary Gothic Metal band Moonspell. Painted Black build on that musical heritage, crafting a unique blend of depressive musings and sporadic bursts of anguish into a decidely mellow, refreshing package. Painted Black seek to create a vibrant vision of longing and bleak romanticism on 'The Neverlight', and accomplish this quite successfully via the usage of slow acoustic passages and the occasional visceral blast of brutality. The atmosphere of yearning is so thick within the musical festivities, it almost becomes a breathing tangible entity. With 'The Neverlight', Painted Black achieve a feat seemingly elusive to similar bands in recent years: expressing romantic sentiment and emotion without simultaneously becoming self-pitying. At times, Painted Black could certainly be considered guilty of melodrama, but such a small grievance is quickly rendered meaningless by the sheer strength of songwriting. Painted Black seem to have many inherent elements of the aforementioned Moonspell in place. Daniel Lucas certainly seems to have studied at the altar of Fernando Ribeiro, and the fretwork can at times cull comparisons to Moonspell's lighter moments. Fans of Anathema will also experience an overwhelming sense of familiarity with 'The Neverlight' as well, as Painted Black utilize a style not unlike that found on 'Alternative 4' and 'Judgement'. 'The Neverlight' is clearly not for everyone, particularly those within the Funeral and Death/Doom scenes. This album is specifically geared towards the hopeless romantic's sensibilities, and offers the gentle reassurance they are not alone. Well, at least in spirit.	1. ...As The Water Slowly Fills Our Lungs 2. The Everlasting Guilt 3. AaBbYyZz 4. Bleed Ghosts 5. Saudade 6. DeadTreeSong Approx. 29 minutes
Reviewed by: Timothy Coleman
Verbo (CD) 2007 None
With 'The Neverlight', Painted Black's previous effort, the band introduced the world to their unique brand of romanticism and smooth, melodic instrumentation. As refreshing as 'The Neverlight' proved to be, at its core lay a promise to all who dared listen - the promise that the future would yield greater anthems of melancholia and loss, as the band's thorny gaze stared unflinchingly into the clouds above. 'Verbo', Painted Black's second album, hasn't yet penetrated the atmosphere, but the watermarks of ascension are omnipresent. Gone is the sparse intrumentation that plagued 'The Neverlight'. A new confidence sits in its place, and one truly gets the immediate impression that the band's faith in their own ability has manifested into sharp, purposeful musicianship. Daniel Lucas' vocals have a deeper resonance than was displayed previously. In certain passages, I would dare to use the adjective 'soulful' to describe their quality. Lucas also employs requisite growls and screams as a means of additional color to heavier songs, but said usage pales in comparison to the greatness of his clean vocals. The soundscape of 'Verbo', perhaps due to Painted Black's newfound confidence, is fittingly complex in contrast with 'The Neverlight', and is saturated with emotions merely hinted upon previously. As such, the comparisons to Anathema and countrymen Moonspell are more relevant than ever. Such a comparison shouldn't be used as a shortcut to thinking, however; Painted Black are uniquely different in spite of similarities shared with the aforementioned bands. What a difference a matter of years can make! I am still pleasantly surprised with the amount of progress this Portugese band has made, and as a direct result I find myself hoping for their success despite the enormity of the global underground. It is this very hope - the inability to submit in the shadow of overwhelming odds - that truly summarizes the emotional undercurrent of Painted Black.	1. The Desolate Pleading 2. NightShift 3. Expire 4. The Sin Path 5. Your Heart In Ashes Approx. 31 minutes
Reviewed by: Timothy Coleman