''Symphonaire Infernus et Spera Empyrium'' is the first EP by English

doom metal Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other heavy metal genres.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' ...

band

My Dying Bride My Dying Bride are an English doom metal band formed in Bradford. Since their inception in 1990, they have released 15 studio albums, five EPs, one demo, one box set, four compilation albums, one live album, and one live CD/DVD release. Along ...

. "Symphonaire" was made only a few months after signing to the

Peaceville Records Peaceville Records is a British independent heavy metal record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw (of the bands Instigators and Civilised Society, as well as a former drummer of Sore Throat) in Dewsbury, England, in 1987. ...

label. The song was also released as a

vinyl record A phonograph record (also known as a gramophone record, especially in British English) or a vinyl record (for later varieties only) is an analog signal, analog sound Recording medium, storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, ...

and an

audio tape Audiotape is magnetic tape used for storing audio. Information stored can be in the form of either an analog or digital signal. Audiotape can be used in various tape recorders including machines for reel-to-reel audio tape recording on open reels ...

. The artwork was designed and created by

Dave McKean David McKean (born 29 December 1963) is an England, English artist. His work incorporates drawing, painting, photography, collage, found objects, digital art, and sculpture. McKean has illustrated works by authors such as S. F. Said, S.F. Said, ...

, who also designed some of the band's other sleeves including "

As the Flower Withers ''As the Flower Withers'' is the debut studio album by English doom metal band My Dying Bride. The artwork was designed by Dave McKean. This is the only full-length My Dying Bride album on which lead vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe utilizes his death ...

". The EP was the band's first release as a 5-piece, following the introduction of bassist Adrian Jackson. The title track was originally recorded for the band's first demo, "Towards the Sinister". This version can be found on the compilation album " Meisterwerk 1". "God Is Alone" was originally recorded as a single that also includes "De Sade Soliloquay". These versions have not been re-released since their original appearance. The EP was also released as part of the limited box-set, "The Stories", alongside the band's other singles, "

The Thrash of Naked Limbs ''The Thrash of Naked Limbs'' is the second EP by English doom metal band My Dying Bride. This EP was also released as a vinyl record. By this time, the band was a 6-piece, having added session violinist and keyboardist Martin Powell as an of ...

" and "

I Am the Bloody Earth My Dying Bride are an English doom metal band formed in Bradford. Since their inception in 1990, they have released 15 studio albums, five EPs, one demo, one box set, four compilation albums, one live album, and one live CD/DVD release. Along ...

". All three were released on one disc on the compilation "

Trinity The Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the Christian doctrine concerning the nature of God, which defines one God existing in three, , consubstantial divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, thr ...

" in 1995. The song's video, available on " For Darkest Eyes" features bizarre imagery and slow-motion footage of the band members walking through the wilderness. The video version of the song is the edited version that appears as "Act 1" on the vinyl release of the EP. "Act 2" is the section of the songs which begins at 5:15 in the full-length version. Live versions of the title track are available on " The Voice of the Wretched" and in the bonus features of the DVD version of " For Darkest Eyes".

Track listing

CD

# "Symphonaire Infernus et Spera Empyrium" – 11:39 # "God Is Alone" – 4:51 # "De Sade Soliloquay" – 3:42

Vinyl

# "Symphonaire Infernus et Spera Empyrium Act 1" # "Symphonaire Infernus et Spera Empyrium Act 2"

Audio tape

# "Symphonaire Infernus et Spera Empyrium" – 11:39 # "God Is Alone" – 4:51 # "De Sade Soliloquay" – 3:42

Personnel

Aaron Stainthorpe Aaron Stainthorpe (born 12 November 1968) is an English singer who is the lead vocalist for doom metal band My Dying Bride and the goth metal band High Parasite. In December 2005, it was announced that Stainthorpe would lend his voice and some ...

- vocals *

Andrew Craighan Andrew Craighan (born 18 July 1970) is one of My Dying Bride's founding guitarists. Craighan is one of two original My Dying Bride members still in the lineup, alongside Aaron Stainthorpe. He played the guitar from 1989 to 1990 in the band Abio ...

- guitar * Calvin Robertshaw - guitar * Adrian Jackson - bass * Rick Miah - drums

Additional personnel

Martin Powell Martin Powell is an English musician. In 1991, Powell auditioned for the position of bass player in the band My Dying Bride, but was turned down as the band had just filled the position. Upon informing the band he was also a violin and keyboa ...

- session violin *

- album artwork

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Symphonaire Infernus Et Spera Empyrium 1992 debut EPs Albums with cover art by Dave McKean My Dying Bride EPs