Black Widow [Import]

Black Widow [Import]

ASIN: B00005Y445

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Although he is best-known for film scores like Bullitt and Enter The Dragon, prolific composer Lalo Schifrin has always maintained a side career as a jazz musician. This album found Schifrin turning his skills as an arranger and keyboardist to a set of material that matched up some unlikely but effective covers with a few originals. One of the highlights among the covers include 'Quiet Village', which transforms the exotica classic into a slow-burning funk vamp dressed with plenty of spacey synthesizer. Sony. 2005.

Tracks:

Dark Eyes
Thunder & Lightning
The Merry Widow
Song of the Volga Boatman
Hor Ich Zimbalklange
Espana Cani (Bull)
O Mio Babbino Caro
The Blue Danube Waltz
Announcement Olympia Song
Song of Olympia (puppet)
My Heart Will Go On (Titanic)
All Men Shall Be Brothers - Beethoven 9th
Radetzky March
Opera Potpourri
The Red Rose Cafe
The Marino Waltz
Irish Washerwoman
The Last Rose
Chianti Song
Lullaby

Album Description

Recorded at the filming in Dublin's famous downtown train terminal, LIVE IN DUBLIN features Andre and the orchestra performing a collection of old favorites and exciting new selections. Already a smash PBS program LIVE IN DUBLIN captures Andre Rieu and his magical live performances at their most elegant best!

Customer Reviews:

Would you like ketchup with your bug?.......2007-05-05

The person who sang O Mio Babbino Caro is Carmen Monarcha. Do a search for her on YouTube; she's really fantastic!

Anyway, I saw Andre Rieu on a PBS special on television and it looked like such an awesome, high-energy concert! The CD is not so exciting, but it is worth buying just for that beautiful aria.

he makes you get up and dance.......2007-04-10

my 3 yr old enjoys this as much as us

Live in Dublin.......2007-02-17

The music is really toe tapping and excellent. Andre Rieu is a master of music.

Live in Dublin.......2006-07-05

This concert is magnificent in its energy and in the great performances by Andre Rieu and the Johann Stauss orchestra. I watch it when I need lifting up. I love the audience interaction which makes me feel as if I'm there in person.

Live audience is great........2006-05-03

This has to be one of Andre's best. The live audience adds much to the music being played. I wish I had been there for the performance.

Average customer rating:

The Best of It's Scene
The best album I own.
An excellent cd...
Quite possibly the best ever recorded...
A lack of diversity

Widow's Weeds
Tristania
Manufacturer: Napalm
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Beyond the Veil
World of Glass
At Sixes and Sevens
An Elixir for Existence
Ashes

ASIN: B00004YNBK
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

Preludium...
Evenfall
Pale Enchantress
December Elegy
Midwinterfears
Angellore
My Lost Lemore
Wasterland's Caress
...Postludium

Customer Reviews:

The Best of It's Scene.......2006-04-25

Disreguard L Salisbury's review. It isn't helpfull in the least because the review is completely false. First off, the female vocalist sounds nothing like Kate Bush and second, Tristania has never been a death metal band. Leave that to the likes of Nile, Cryptopsy, Soilent Green and Necrophagist.

Salisbury did, however, get it right when the term "Masterpiece" was used. This is one of the best albums of the genre. Every single song is just as good as the last. Each one delivers a beautiful display of atmosphere and emotion. Sure the guitar work is slightly on the simplistic side but the brooding atmosphere and beauty created here greatly surpasses anything that shear shredding could produce.

When you think of gothic metal you probably think of The Birthday Massacre, Beseech, Sentenced, Sethian, Type O Negative and To/Die/For eh? Well, Tristania has taken the genre to a whole new level with the likes of Katatonia.

Case in point, this is a brilliant display of gothic/doom metal and if you want something more, Try "Beyond the Veil" and Katatonia's earlier works.

The best album I own........2006-03-31

The first songs I heard from Tristania were from Beyond the Veil album. Later I bought Widow's Weeds, and I must admit, that altough both albums have their own distinct style I still prefer Widow's Weeds more. Maybe it's because of the melancholy dark romantic theme or songwriting, maybe it's the peaceful sound.

Usually a metal album is heavily compressed and way too loud and aggressive. Widow's Weeds instead is mixed and mastered more traditionally - you can in fact hear all the different instruments, and the cd won't blow my speakers up when I put the cd into my player. I really appreciate Tristania's effort to produce a honestly good-sounding album. The songs don't even clip, as songs in metal other albums - like Beyond the Veil - do... I really wish I could find other albums like Widow's Weeds.

If someone thinks that growling is a big no, then I suggest to reconsider. It took me many years to learn to tolerate growling, not to speak of shrieking or female growling. It just takes time, like everything else. By ignoring all the good music with growling vocals is like ignoring one of your basic tastes - bitter.

Besides that, I like the intro and outro parts - Preludum and Postludum - of the album, too. They allow me to relax and adjust to the forthcoming bliss of symphonic gothic metal, and afterwards give me time to realize, that it is over again.

An excellent cd..........2005-08-18

I really loved this cd. It is extremely beautiful vocally, and the sound is very romantic. I'm a huge Cradle of Filth fan, and then cd is still very gothic-sounding, but waay softer. Perfect for indulging my softer side. Soaring operatic female vocals and growls from the male vocalists make this cd a perfect balance. My only complaint is that it is a bit short, clocking about 50 minutes, and i really wish it was at least a full hour. Anyway, i seriously recommend this.

Quite possibly the best ever recorded..........2004-12-28

This cd is absolutely amazing. I've always been a fan of more aggressive music, like death metal and black metal. But at the same time I love the beauty and majesty of classical music and Shakespearean sonnets. I thought I'd found exactly what I was looking for with Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, and Borknagar. Then i got a copy of Widow's Weeds. Doom metal is some of the most beautiful music ever written. And I believe that Tristania is one of the, if not the, absolute best, in this genre. All others (Theatre of Tragedy, My Dying Bride, etc.) pale in comparison. Morten Veland has a perfect doom growl, it doesn't sound forced or fake at all. And Vibeke. Vibeke Stene has the best voice I have ever heard. I thought Liv Kritine Espanaes of Theatre of Tragedy was the best until I heard Vibeke. Her voice is the most beautiful, so full of emotion. And this cd perfectly showcases that. From the sorrowful opening of Preludium, through all of the heartwrenching roars of Morten Veland and the sirenic angel singing of Vibeke Stene, and the eery haunting of postludium, this cd is musical perfection.

A lack of diversity.......2004-06-25

Although this is the debut album from Tristania, I was introduced to them through World of Glass, and worked my way backwards. I believe they improved every album, although this isn't a bad album, just seems a bit repetitive(growl, sing, growl, keyboard).

The cd starts strong with Evenfall(Preludium isn't a song really), and then follows with 6 songs that lack any element that sets them apart from each other. Closes with Postludium, an eerie chant.

Tracks:

Black Widow
Flamingo
Quiet Village
Moonglow/Theme from "Picnic"
Jaws
Baia
Turning Point
Dragonfly
Frenesi [#]
Tab
Baia [Alternate Take][#]
Con Alma [#]

Album Description

Although he is best-known for film scores like Bullitt and Enter The Dragon, prolific composer Lalo Schifrin has always maintained a side career as a jazz musician. This album found Schifrin turning his skills as an arranger and keyboardist to a set of material that matched up some unlikely but effective covers with a few originals. One of the highlights among the covers include 'Quiet Village', which transforms the exotica classic into a slow-burning funk vamp dressed with plenty of spacey synthesizer. Sony. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

finally!.......2007-03-06

i've been waiting soooo long for this to come out in CD. i first owned it on cassette when it came out in 1976. not sure, but it got thrown out and i've regretted ever since. this is great music!

Average customer rating:

mediocre thrash album
Randy Rampage Owns
Eh, so so, not great
Awesome guitar, crappy vocals
Fair Warning:

Criteria for a Black Widow
Annihilator
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Thrash & Speed Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

King of the Kill
Carnival Diablos
Refresh the Demon
Remains
Alice in Hell/Never, Neverland

ASIN: B00003OP2J
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

Bloodbath
Back to the Palace
Punctured
Criteria for a Black Widow
Schizos (Are Never Alone) Part III
Nothing Left
Loving the Sinner
Double Dare
Sonic Homicide
Mending
Loving the Sinner (Jeff Waters Vocal Version)
Jeff Waters Speaks

Customer Reviews:

mediocre thrash album.......2006-05-05

I agree with one of the earlier reviews that states that the biggest problem with this album is the fact that the vocals SUCK. not only that but the lyrics are ridiculous as well.. especially on the title track. As far as musicianship goes, this is pretty much a standard thrash album. nothing groundbreaking, nothing new, really. Jeff Water's lead work is also overrated on this release. a mediocre thrash album at best.

Randy Rampage Owns.......2005-12-06

This album kicks unbelievable ass. Just when I thought Annihilator would slip into mediocrity, Jeff Waters tracks down Randy Rampage and brings him back into what could be one of the best thrash albums of the last 10 years.

Bloodbath, the first track, opens with powerful riffs and wicked vocals/solos/lyrics/everything and the album refuses to slow down. Back to the Palace is a great play on the classic Fun Palace theme, while Schizos Pt. 3 makes for a fitting continuation. Sonic Homicide reuses a sweet riff from an old 80's Annihilator demo and makes a great song out of it. And Punctured proves that the mighty Rampage can master a real singing part. The other songs on the album are solid and almost as memorable as these mentioned, with the final track, Mending, a short acoustic outro.

The synopsis of this album is this. Any Annihilator album with Randy Rampage on vocals will own. No matter how weak the lyrics, or how generic the guitarwork might be, his flair and style could save the album. I really wish his voice would have been on All for You instead of Dave Padden, who sounds like a jackass the entire time and ruins the album. Though Dave redeemed himself a little on Schizos Deluxe, imagine how amazing that album would be with Randy on it. It would have been a modern metal classic. Too bad they just don't get along anymore. Buy this album.

Eh, so so, not great.......2005-05-27

I listened to these guys back in the Alice In Hell days, but not much since then....

So when I got this CD, I so wanted to like it, but found it very redundant....

These guys had so much potential 10 years ago, but instead of growing, they apparently keep regurgitating the same sounds, and not much on this cd was catchy enough to get me wanting to jump in a mosh pit, bang my head, or pump my fists....

Awesome guitar, crappy vocals.......2005-05-17

I agree with the 5-star reviews except for the vocals. This CD would be perfect if it weren't for the weird-sounding voice. It's also bad in other Annihilator albums too. I am sure this is the main reason Annihilator isn't as popular as we all wanted it to be. Just listen to the samples above and check for yourself. And the lyrics suck too, with repetitive annoying rhymes. But, hey, the guitar is awesome, the speed is as fast as it should be, with original rythms. All songs kick ass, specially "Schizos" and "Loving the Sinner".

Fair Warning:.......2005-03-09

If you buy this cd, you're likely to dislocate and/or yank something loose from the headbanging you'll do. After many years and albums of Waters being a one man band, he decided to get back most of his original group to enter the 21st century. Granted, they only lasted for this one album, but Annihilator has always been the King Crimson of thrash metal as far as band members are concerned. You like thrash played at a million miles an hour, but at the same time being able to tell one song from another? How many thrash bands can do that? Well, Annihilator can. Why? Talent. Most of this albums rips, yet there is one song(Punctured) that sounds a bit like teen angst numetal, but that's easily forgiven coz the rest of the album more than makes up for that. Too bad Rampage didn't stick it out, I really like his snarly vocals. If you're sick of classic thrash bands losing their way in recent years, Black Widow is proof that all is not lost. You owe it to yourself and these wacky Canadians to pick it up, G-Dog.

Average customer rating:

Nordic Gothic-Death-Opera Metal
Lovely Nord Metal That Everyone Will Love.
This is the next step
Operatic goth metal as its best !!!

Widow's Weeds
Tristania
Manufacturer: Spv
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Beyond the Veil
World of Glass
At Sixes and Sevens

ASIN: B00000JCYH
Release Date: 1999-05-10

Tracks:

Preludium
Evenfall
Pale Enchantress
December Elegy
Midwintertears
Angellore
My Lost Lenore
Wasteland's Caress
....Postludium

Customer Reviews:

Nordic Gothic-Death-Opera Metal.......2000-09-09

Tristania is about the best newcomer in its genre: metal, symphonic elements (piano, violin) and the well-known "Beauty & The Beast" concept. The female vocals are very well represented, although she should be more involved with her vocals. The grunts are harsh and nice, although sometimes a little too 'screamy' and too less varied. However, in general is Widow's Weeds a very atmospheric, dark, romantic and professional album. Especially when you think of the average age of the members of about 20 years old. The 2nd song "Evenfall" is one of the best Gothic songs I ever heard.

Lovely Nord Metal That Everyone Will Love........2000-05-07

I never quite know what to say in these reviews, but I do know that this is one of the most beautiful albums that I have ever heard. Adriana calls this stuff Fe-Metal, which is my favorite kind; The stunningly beautiful vocalist Vibeke delivers a powerful performance... Anyway, on the inside of the CD we are greeted by a portrait of the band, adorned in their lovely Celtic garb; normally that would indicate a severe Poser complex, but in this case they really live up to the image. Like I said, Aryan Nations only deliver the finest. If you like Chaos and Destructo metal from Sweden, this isn't the stuff. This instead is Swedish, Yes, death metal, but of the more mellow type. Definitely nice to get with the chicks, too. When I played it for my wife the first time... Hail Sweden!

This is the next step.......1999-12-30

If you like doom metal, bands like Theatre of Tragedy, Celestial Season, Ancient Ceremony, buy this right now. As this music continues to evolve, Tristania is at the frontier. Imagine doom metal growls and screams side by side with operatic female vocals, along with melodic heavy guitar riffs, keyboards and violin, all balanced for the perfect effect. This music rocks.

Operatic goth metal as its best !!!.......1999-10-12

Anyone into Cradle of Filth, Theatre of Tragedy, Sins of thy Beloved and Dismal Euphony will be darkly seduced by this unique and majestic effort! Vibeke, charismatic and soprano vocalist, will charm every listener easily. Very professionnally done, this CD is one of the best of the genre. Can not wait for new one later this month ! Keep up those siren songs Vibeke !!!

Average customer rating:

Rock Godz dwell in purple skies

From the Purple Skies
Wicked Minds
Manufacturer: Black Widow
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00030CGWC
Release Date: 2005-07-18

Tracks:

From The Purple Skies
Elephant Stone
Drifting
Across The Sunrise
Forever My Queen
Rising Above
Queen Of Violet
Space Child
Gypsy
Return To Uranus

Customer Reviews:

Rock Godz dwell in purple skies.......2006-07-06

Man this is one great old school influnced release. Wicked Minds are just that Wicked !!! They take the best of the very best early 70's prog-metal and make it all their own! Compelete with
rollicking hammon b6 organ ala Jon Lord,Ken Hensley ect.They definitely have that old Deep Purple, Uraih Heep vibe going on but there is just so much more going on here it's a crime that this is an unheralded recording, it harkens back to an era that musicians weren't musicians unless they were masters of their choosen harmonic weapons. So if you love that great early
metal sound but long for something fresh and exciting too don't
think twice about slapping the money down for this baby it rockz!!!!

Average customer rating:

Neque Semper Arcum Tendit Rex
Antonius Rex
Manufacturer: Black Widow
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00007M5CS

Album Details

A Previously Unreleased Cult Album by Legendary Dark Progressive Band Antonius Rex. Originally Written and Recorded in 1974, it was Blocked by Vertigo Because of the Occulist Cover. The Band Decided Not to Change the Cover and the Tracklisting and the Album was Blocked. Six Fantastic Tracks to Be Discovered!

Average customer rating:

Black Widow
Black Widow
Manufacturer: Repertoire
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000FQWG88
Release Date: 2006-08-14

Tracks:

Tears & Wine
Gypsy
Bridge Passage
When My Mind Was Young
Journey
Poser
Mary Clark
Wait Until Tomorrow
An Afterthought
Legend Of Creation
Wish You Would (Bonus Track)
Accident (Bonus Track)

Album Description

Digitally remastered reissue of this British hard rock band's self-titled sophomore album from 1971, now featuring two bonus tracks. Often compared to their contemporaries Black Sabbath and early Jethro Tull, Black Widow's cult following continues to grow 30 years after they disbanded.

Album Details

A Charismatic Progressive Rock Band from Leicester, England, Black Widow were Considered to Be a Major Rivals to Black Sabbath When They First Emerged in 1970. Starring Jim Gannon (Guitar/Vocals) and Kip Trevor (Vocals), the Group was Born Out a Soul Outfit Called Pesky Gee! Formed in 1966, but They Switched to a Heavier Image, More Suited to the 70s. Influenced by the Prevailing Interest in Black Magic, the Band Recorded the Highly Controversial Single "Come to the Sabbat", which Appeared on the Classic Cbs Sampler Album "The Rock Machine Turns You On". "Black Widow" was the Group's Second Album. Highly Sought After, it was First Released in 1971 and Marked a Move Away from Black Magic Themes to Focus on Distinctive and Interesting Prog Rock Music. This Edition Comes in Mini LP Vinyl Replica Packaging with the Original Artwork, Including a Booklet with Authoritative and Extensive Liner Notes by Respected Author and Journalist Chris Welch.

John Langstaff Sings Archival Folk Collection

Average customer rating:

John Langstaff Sings Archival Folk Collection

Manufacturer: Revels Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00068CUQS
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

O Waly, Waly/The Water Is Wide, I Cannot Get O'er
Carrion Crow
All 'Round My Had I Will Wear a Green Willow
Cruel Mother
Farmer's Curst Wife
Riddle Song/I Will Give My Love an Apple
Lord Rendal
Billy Boy
Croodin' Doo
John Barleycorn
Lover's Tasks
Green Wedding
She's Like the Swallow
John Riley

Tracks:

Bonnie Wee Thing
Pretty Sally
Two Brothers
Teh Deaf Woman's Courtship
At the Foot of Yonders Mountain
Rich Old Lady
There Was a Man in Our Town
Baby Bunting
When I Was a Little Boy
Rosey Boy, Posey Boy
Frog Went Courtin'
Dn Lover
Jockie to the Fair
Pretty Sally

Tracks:

False Knight Upon the Road
Little Turtle Dove
Seventeen Come Sunday
Sir Patrick Spens
Blow Away the Morning Dew
Trees They Do Grow High
Crawfish Man's Street City
She Moved Through the Fair
Golden Vanity
Rich Old Lady
Nottamun Town
John Barleycorn
Jolly Ploughboy
St. James Hospital
Brisk Young Widow
Six Dukes Went A-Fishing

Tracks:

Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair
Bingo
I Wish I Was a Child Again
Hares on the Mountain
Two Magicians
Trees They Do Grow High
Lady Maisry
Edward
As I Walked Through the Meadows
Lark in the Morn
Gypsy Laddie
Go and Tell Aunt Nancy
Soldier, Soldier, Won't You Marry Me?
Cripple Creek Girls
Tottenham Toad
Frog in the Well
Dance to Your Daddy
As I Was Going to Banbury
Swapping Song
Dashing Away With the Smoothing Iron
O My Love, Will You Wear Red?
Frog and the Mouse
Cocky Robin
What'll We Do With the Baby?
Mocking Bird (Hush Up, Baby)
Bye, Bye Baby
Tiny Man
Weekdays and Sundays
Oh Jacky, Stand Still
Turn Round, Turn Round
Basket Full of Nuts
Our Baby Prince
All the Ducks
Polly Perkin
Follow the Leader
Poor Doggie
Baby's Song

Album Description

John Langstaff, now 83 years of age, is the founder and director emeritus of Revels, the non-profit performing arts company that produces Revels Records as well as 'The Christmas Revels' annual winter solstice celebrations in 12 cities across the country. This is the complete collection of Langstaff's disc, featuring all four acclaimed previously re-released CDs originally recorded in England. The recordings have been digitally re-mastered at London's famed Abbey Road Studios. Included are many traditional British and American folk songs and ballads, most with simple, art song settings. Legendary pianists Sir Gerald Moore, Sam Mason and John Powell, as well as guitarist Martin Best, are featured.

Average customer rating:

Early Occult Rock
first and last
Black Prog?
An Obscure Classic
Excellent prog rock

Sacrifice
Black Widow
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000JAVW
Release Date: 1999-04-19

Tracks:

In Ancient Days
Way to Power
Come to the Sabbat
Conjuration
Seduction
Attack of the Demon
Sacrifice

Album Description

Reissue of the British prog rock outfit's debut album, originally released in 1970 on CBS. The group were pioneers of dark metal & featured Jim Gannon, later a member of Fox. Seven tracks. Also contains the original cover art. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews:

Early Occult Rock.......2003-11-12

No, not metal-although the influence on metal is very obvious. Prog rock could mean big dull productions like ELP, or occasionally, powerful things like this. The flute and extra percussion are color-they give the music a feel of ancient civilization. The arrangements are not particularly complex, and the story of Magic, satanism, and reincarnation is very upfront. take Merciful Fate, Venom, or Slayer and play their music acoustically-that's a close approximation of what this sounds like.

first and last.......2002-09-28

this first album by Black Widow demonstrated the kind of So-called satanic music that they pioneered. Often mistaken for Black Sabbath, the music was entirely different...more organ, flute and sax than fuzz bass. This was their only Satanic album changing because of negative pressure to more of a light progressive band with their following albums. A good album of its kind.

Black Prog?.......2002-05-21

No, this band is NOT a Metal pioneer. Their music is WAY too laid back to even be considered being called hard rock or Metal. Lead instruments include the organ, flute, sax, acoustic guitar, some violins, and what sounds like a trumpet. No heavy guitars to be found anywhere, so don't listen to anyone who compares them to Black Sabbath. I suppose their association with heavy metal is most likely a result of their strongly occultic and mystical lyrics dealing with witchcraft, diabolism, reincarnation and necromancy. So this obviously isn't something to play at a church social. But if you listen closely and with an open mind, you'll find that it's really a cautionary tale about the danger of playing with black magic.
The album opens with the atmospheric "In Ancient Days" complete with a creepy organ intro. The song is very jazzy, yet at the same time quite dark and mysterious, with a dark tinted fairy-tale atmosphere. "Way to Power" is a great tune filled with subtly dark and dreamy soundscapes to match the equally arcane lyrics dealing with magical grimoirs. Next follows the infamous "Come To The Sabbat" which actually got some radio play. It opens with a spooky chant and flute and moves into a sort of upbeat medieval/renaissance folk inspired song that is diabolically infectious. The chorus, which is actually a mantra-like chant, "Come, come, come to the Sabbat. Come to the Sabbat, Satan's there!" makes it hard to believe that this song was allowed to be played on the radio in 1970. "Conjuration" is a moody dark piece with a trumpet (I think) playing the sad lead melody. "Seduction" gets a bit tedious for me, and it's really the only downside to this album. It's a ballad with some uninspired jamming thrown in. "Attack of the Demon" is a great Jefferson Airplane-esque song about a sorcerer condemned to hell for his sins. And the energetic title track which features some killer flute and organ soloing, ends the album. Overall this is a highly enjoyable album with the exception of "Seduction" which I usually skip over. A must for prog fans, and anyone interested in dark music or in obscure novelties. Worth every penny you pay for it.

An Obscure Classic.......2002-02-01

I'm in my early 40's - I'm not afraid to admit it! So this album is placed firmly in my early teen memory as a classic of its kind. Of course, there were all sorts of rumors about audiences taking all their clothes off during live performances etc. But the album itself is really quite marvellous. Thank goodness someone had the wisdom to reissue it on CD, since for years it was only possible to find overplayed vinyl copies in record shops.
Oh, and my best mate's Uncle was the drummer!

Excellent prog rock.......2001-08-21

Sacrifice, first released in 1970 on CBS, was the first album by this prog band under the Black Widow name (the band went under the previous name of Pesky Gee prior to Sacrifice with female vocalist Kay Garret and released an album called Exclamation Mark in 1969). Anyway, Sacrifice really seems to be liked by black metal fans everywhere, simply because the lyrics have heavy satanic themes. But this is a public service announcement: if you're a black metal fan, don't buy Sacrifice expecting another Black Sabbath. You won't find heavy guitar riffs, you won't hear lots of fuzz bass. In fact I hear mostly acoustic guitar, and some lead electric played in that late '60s style. More often than not, the flute, sax, and Hammond organ dominate and very often the guitar isn't used. On the other hand, if you're a diehard prog rock enthusiast, like myself, and you like bands such as Jethro Tull, Cressida, Gracious, and Beggars Opera (particularly "The Witch" and "Madame Doubtfire" off Pathfinder), you're sure to like this, if you aren't bothered by the lyrics, that is. This is the kind of album you wouldn't want to play around kids, especially the chanting you hear on the hit "Come to the Sabbat". And speaking of that cut, I am surprised that was a hit over in the UK simply because of the content and any American DJ attempting to play that song would probably be without a job if he even thinks of playing that song. None of the songs on this album are particularly complex (since many prog fans like their music complex) and tends to the song-oriented side (as typical of British prog at that time). Some of my favorites are "In Ancient Days", "Way to Power", "Attack of the Demon" and the title track. "Conjuration" is pretty interesting for its bolero beat and some spooky spoken dialog. Black Widow did not endear themselves to the Christian fundamentalists over in Britain and there were stories of priests waving crosses and bibles at their concerts to try to lure the audience away from that music. Eventually the band turned away from the satanic image and turned to more typical prog rock lyrics, so if you buy their next two releases, the album simply called "Black Widow" from 1971 and "Black Widow III" from 1972, you won't find much in the way of satanic lyrics.By the way, the recently released Return to the Sabbat was actually an original 1969 recording of Sacrfice with vocalist Kay Garret. That version collected dust and wasn't heard for nearly 30 years. The band re-recorded Sacrifice without Garret and is the version people got to hear back in 1970.So in conclusion, Sacrifice is a good example of what prog rock was all about in Britain back in 1970, might not be the best album I've heard, but it gives reminders how prog was once like, rather than bland '80s pop pretending to be prog like Asia. So if you're curious of how satanic prog music is like, give Sacrifice a try.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music