Blood of Angels cover

Released 20 years ago

Blood of Angels

Nox Arcana · 2006

40 min · 9 tracks · gothic rock

Dark orchestral arrangements intertwine with haunting vocals to evoke a gothic atmosphere filled with melancholy and introspection.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Ligeia's Lament — This track encapsulates the album's haunting essence with its ethereal melodies and tragic narrative inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's work.
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    Angels Are Weeping — The song features lush instrumentation and poignant lyrics that explore themes of sadness and mourning, showcasing the duo's lyrical depth.
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    Blood of Angels — As the title track, it serves as the emotional centerpiece of the album, weaving together rich imagery and a sense of foreboding that defines the overall experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album effectively combines orchestral elements with vocals, creating a distinct gothic atmosphere.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features tracks that build tension with orchestral arrangements, while the second half shifts to more subdued, introspective pieces.
  • Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements alongside the haunting vocals, enhancing the storytelling aspect.
  • The album closes with a club mix of an earlier track, which contrasts sharply with the preceding dark and atmospheric compositions.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dark orchestral soundscapes for reflection
  • haunting melodies for introspective moments
  • melancholic themes of loss
  • short immersive listening experiences

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer upbeat, lively music
  • seek lighthearted, cheerful sounds

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2006, Blood of Angels is Nox Arcana's fourth studio album, following their 2005 release, Shadow of the Raven. At this stage in their career, the duo had already established themselves as prominent figures in the gothic rock genre, known for their cinematic soundscapes that draw heavily on literary inspirations.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Ligeia's Lament 3:32
  • 2 Children of Heaven 5:26
  • 3 Bitter Ashes 3:48
  • 4 Ella Sheena 4:46
  • 5 Angels Are Weeping 6:07
  • 6 Widow's Walk 3:09
  • 7 Forlorn 4:08
  • 8 Blood of Angels 3:48
  • 9 Children of Heaven (club mix) 5:42

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata