Black Aria II＜Black & Orange Vinyl＞

In 1992, Black Aria, Glenn Danzig's goth-classical song cycle based on Paradise Lost, debuted at number one on Billboard's classical chart. While by no means a traditional classical composition (the majority of the record was fueled by keyboards), Danzig had found a cinematic outlet for his formidable prolificacy, and his fans were willing to follow him down that road without questioning his sanity, but the results were almost all atmosphere and no substance. 2006's Black Aria II continues in the same vein as its predecessor, but this time around the ex-Misfit illuminates the Judeo-Christian mythology of Lilith, Adam's wife before Eve. Far bleaker and more minimalist that its first inception, BA2 relies less on string-fueled dread and more on operatic vocals and experimental sounds. For the most part, it sounds like the soundtrack to every PC video game that involves recovering an ancient amulet, defeating a dark lord, or hacking away at subterranean beings with a flaming sword. There's not a lot to sink your teeth into, but if there were a subcategory in the new age section of your local record store that was reserved for meditation music for the hooded, the damned, and the downright evil, then Black Aria II would must definitely have its own kiosk. ~ James Christopher Monger