The Shadows Smile- Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horrors

Band: The Shadows Smile

Album: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horrors

Recorded: 10/2008

Genre: Gothic

Reviewer: M. A. Ruberto

Rating: 3

Music for Dancing on Graves

Bubba Crimm's vocals are intense and engaging, and at times sound something like a negatively-misaligned Leonard Cohen. Backup vocals by AMC are mesmerizing and set a good contrast to the rawness of the lead. Musicality between all of the instruments is fairly good resulting in a

nicely cohesive overall sound. I hear hints of early Fields of the Nephilim and The Chameleons U.K. in the melodies and song structures. The song writing is very strong. This, possibly, is one of the best qualities of this band - good solid song writing exhibiting a high level of substance

and intelligence. The production quality could use some improvement, particularly with the

recording and mixing of the drums. But this does not stop Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horrors from being a very satisfying and eminently listenable album, with a  gorgeous closing track that will leave you wishing there was more to come. There is a starkness to the sound which I find very appealing. This is a perfect album for midnight-graveyard-dancing on a crisp autumn night with

your favorite bottle of wine (red). My biggest complaint - not enough songs. Otherwise,

very strong album from The Shadows Smile and I look forward to more from them.

M. A. Ruberto