Symphonic Metal – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Retro-review: Theatre of Tragedy – Velvet Darkness They Fear

Vicky

To start things on a more depressing note, this album is close to three decades of existence, being released in 1996. The year itself was absolutely remarkable for the Metal industry, with new material from My Dying Bride (Like Gods of the Sun), Opeth (Morningrise), Sepultura (Roots), Cradle of Filth (Dusk… and Her Embrace), Hypocrisy (Abducted), Type O Negative (October Rust), Rage (Lingua Mortis and then End of All Days), Therion (Theli), The 3^rdand the Mortal (Painting on Glass), Napalm Death (Diatribes), Pantera (The Great Southern Trendkill), and other albums that are less praised but also important for the Metal world, by Moonspell, Stratovarius, Tool, Warrant, Zakk Wylde, Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Slipknot, Staind, Stone Temple Pilots, and the band of Sakis and Themis Tolis. So, as you may notice, this was one of the best years to be alive.

Therion – Con Orquesta

Vicky

When talking about Symphonic Metal bands that have both excellent music, and a good internal collaboration between artists, Therion is one of the first examples that spring to mind. From their Death/Black beginnings, all the way to Symphonic and Operatic Metal, the group have proven to us numerous times that they can perform alongside musicians from pretty much any genre, and that their lyrics can cover a wide range of topics.

From Classical Music, to Metal, and Beyond – Interview with Thomas Vikström (Therion)

Vicky

As a Symphonic Metal enthusiast, my heart is overfilled with joy when I tell you that I have recently spoken with Thomas Vikström (whom I must thank once again for this opportunity!), Therion’s talented lead vocalist, about his entire career, and numerous preferences, including his beverage of choice, and a top 20 songs he currently loves. Enjoy reading this interview and don’t forget to get back to us with some feedback.

True kvlt: Desu Taem, Silas Grime, Scribe Shift, Black Pigs & Velkhanos

Metalcatto

You know what you know. Let’s start

Vicky’s Top Albums of 2025

Vicky

Since I’m the youngest member here, it seemed fit to try and include as many genres as humanly possible. Also, this is like the third variant of my incredible list, so please be patient. Just remember, the correct question is never “oh, what did Vicky include in her list?”, it’s “what didn’t she include?”… Here it goes, the long overdue list, featuring dramas, friends, and spoilers:

Pedestal for Leviathan – Enter: Vampyric Manifestation

Metalcatto

It’s almost time for Halloween, and I think we’re all trying to find a decent release that fits the mood. I got a random promo from Pedestal for Leviathan for Enter: Vampyric Manifestation, and while these promos don’t usually get much attention, the band sent me a FLAC file—and that always merits respect. Enter: Vampyric Manifestation is what happens when Dying Fetus and Dimmu Borgir have a child together (so, I guess in this case the fetus made it through—yay!). I know it sounds disgusting, but I’m here to tell you to hold on and keep reading.

Meteora – Broken Mind

Vicky

Arguably my favorite part of writing about Metal bands is discovering hidden gems in the scene. Bands, labels, albums, songs, musicians, demos, EPs—anything for that matter. Coming across new acts in this vast musical territory is always a thrill (at least for me, that is). After taking a short break from exploring new albums to rediscover some of my all-time favorite tracks, I’m back today with a Symphonic/Power/Gothic Metal mini-album that deserves attention: Broken Mind by Meteora. I first heard about these Hungarian Metal masters last year (yes, I mean 2024—for those reading this in 3075, please save me a seat in the flying machine!), when they played at one of my favorite festivals, Symphonic Metal Echoes in Alba Iulia, Transylvania, Romania.

Is it really worth going to a Symphonic Metal show?

Vicky

Your favorite teenager underground Dark Metal (Symphonic, Doom, Gothic, Black, Death Metal – to name a few) specialist is back with an answer to a question most of us have probably got. Or, at least, to a question I’ve been getting since I first mentioned my musical styles of choice: is it really worth going to a Symphonic Metal show? To be brief, yes. Why? Find out in the next few lines.

Cradle of Filth, from humble beginnings to great disasters

Vicky

If you’re reading this, it means you’re probably either very curious to find out who Cradle of Filth are, or you’re here to eventually correct me, stating things such as: “you are not trve enough.” Before we dig into the (sort of traumatizing) history of the Cradle, I think it would be alright for me to let you know how I, your laid-back Symphonic Metal fan, first started listening to them. It was a warm summer day, in 2025… No, let’s take it from scratch.

Eminentia Tenebris -Whispers of the Undying

Metalcatto

It’s been a while since we’ve been to space! It was so hot last year, while now it seems to have cooled down (that’s a fact!). However, Eminentia Tenebris bring us something peculiar in Whispers of the Undying. It’s a space opera! And who doesn’t like those? Especially when they come in the form of Symphonic/Black Metal that has the rawness and drama that Dimmu Borgir has been lacking for the last twenty years. Also, is it possible that for once Antiq didn’t send us something recorded with a potato? Let’s find out!