What makes Black Vanity by Cemetary notable?

Black Vanity is significant for its role in the evolution of melodic death metal, contributing to a shift within the genre during the mid-90s. It received positive critical reception and helped establish Cemetary as a notable act within the underground metal community. Released in 1994, Black Vanity was Cemetary's sophomore album, following their debut, An Evil Shade of Grey. At this point, the band was solidifying their presence in the Swedish death metal scene, expanding their sound to incorporate more melodic and atmospheric influences.

How many songs are on Black Vanity?

Black Vanity has 10 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Black Vanity

Cemetary · 1994

44 min · 10 tracks · death metal

A haunting blend of melodic death metal and atmospheric elements weaving dark narratives through intricate guitar work.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hunger of the Innocent — This track exemplifies the band's ability to combine intricate melodies with heavy riffs, showcasing their unique sound that set them apart from contemporaries.
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Black Flowers of Passion — The song features a captivating interplay between haunting vocals and rich instrumental textures, highlighting the emotional depth present throughout the album.
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Last Departure / Serpentine Parade — This track stands out with its dynamic shifts in tempo and mood, effectively illustrating Cemetary's versatility and prowess in composition.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Foothills

Higher than 29% of albums we've rated

The album blends melodic elements with dark themes, showcasing solid songwriting but lacks some cohesion in pacing.

What we noticed

The album features intricate guitar work with alternating melodic leads and aggressive riffs, creating a dynamic contrast throughout.
Several tracks incorporate atmospheric interludes that shift the mood before returning to heavier sections, enhancing the storytelling aspect.
The use of dual vocals, combining growls and clean singing, adds depth to the narratives presented in the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Bitter Seed 2:51
2 Ebony Rain 5:25
3 Hunger of the Innocent 6:10
4 Scarecrow 4:17
5 Black Flowers of Passion 3:49
6 Last Departure / Serpentine Parade 5:10
7 Sweet Tragedy 3:16
8 Pale Autumn Fire 4:19
9 Out in Sand 4:19
10 Rosemary Taste the Sky 5:09

What to play next

Listen next

Sundown

1996

Go back to

Godless Beauty

1993

Full Cemetary discography Artists like Cemetary

death metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata