Released: February 2011

Format: DigiCD/LP

Limitation: 

DigiCD
undisclosed

LP
gold/black blend vinyl + CD - 55 copies
gold/black blend vinyl - 100 copies
gold vinyl - 345 copies

The LP comes with deluxe packaging - UV-lacquered, gold printed 350g gatefold jacket, 250g cardboard inner sleeve and A2 poster.
The first 55 of the gold/black edition include the album on CD.

Tracklist:

1. Crystal Lane
2. Autumn Wounds
3. Damaged Dreamer
4. Low End
5. Soror Dolorosa
6. Scars Of Crusade
7. In A Glance
8. Broken Wings

www.myspace.com/sorordolorosa

Additional Information:

Formerly from Toulouse (southern France), SOROR DOLOROSA was originally founded in 2001, with Andy (Nuit Noire, Mutiilation, Peste Noire, Celestia, Darvulia, Fornication) on drums, Franck (ex Funeraell) on guitar, Herve (ex Funeraell) on bass,  and Christophe Guenot (ex Funeraell) on vocals.

Herve came up with the name of SOROR DOLOROSA because of a novel titled "Bruges-la-morte" by Georges Rodenbach, a Flemish symbolist writer from the late 19th century. A novel marked by symbolism of nostalgia and mourning. SOROR DOLOROSA means "Sister Pain" in Latin, one could almost translate it as "lovers of pain" in a more Baudelaire way...

The band recorded an unpublished demo, then the line-up changed in 2003 with the arrival of Emey (ex Contrast, Unscarred ...), who replaced Franck on guitar. Subsequently they recorded a second unpublished demo and did some gigs until they split in 2005.

In August 2007 they reformed with the present line up. A month later, based on songs written by bassist Carles Herve, the band recorded a third unpublished demo whose content sounds definitely Gothic Rock and Death Rock, influenced by groups such as Christian Death, Bauhaus, and The Sisters of Mercy.

From that time, Soror Dolorosa's style became more personal and they found an own identity as a band. The songs were now written by the four members together, though still mostly based on the bass guitar. They took on a Cold Wave colouring, more in line with bands such as The Cure or Human League, but also with hints of 70's rock like Deep Purple or Black Sabbath and retaining the Sisters of Mercy-like Gothic Rock influence.

 Soror Dolorosa made their first record appearance with "American Chronicle" in March 2008, on the free compilation "Poisoned Dead Frogs" (Manic Depression): http://www.manicdepressionrecords.com/frogs.php

When the third demo was out on myspace, the group was contacted to release an EP through the British label Todestrieb Records. This 6 track EP, entitled "Severance", wasn't released until August 2009 due to production delays and is being distributed through underground ways, while the band promoted it with successful live performances all over France.

Some time in 2009, through the help of Neige (Amesoeurs, Alcest), the band came in contact with Northern Silence Productions, who offered to release their upcoming albums on their newly founded sublabel Beneath Grey Skies, and subsequently produced the debut full length "Blind Scenes", recorded in August 2010 at Drudenhaus Studio.

To use the band's own words: "The album is quite cold, with misty blue moods. 'Blind Scenes' would rather be perceived as scenes unseen, that is to say, out of time and out of the real world. As a state of grace overshadowed by the inevitability of everyday life. The lyrics are heartfelt and talk about regrets, coldness, alcohol abuse, as well as forfeiture, but mostly nostalgia, hence the blue color of the music."

That's also why they chose "Drudenhaus Studio" (CNK, Alcest, Les Discrets, Varsovie, Necroblaspheme), recommended by Neige, who described it as an ideal place to record their music. On the one hand because the studio is analog, and on the other hand because it is located in Brittany's countryside, isolated from the rest of the world, with compulsory rain in August. It was produced by Benoit Roux "Mr. Xort" (ex Anorexia Nervosa), who recorded additional keyboards.

The album artwork & layout was done by Metastazis, who is one of the best illustrators/designers of the underground scene and worked for Alcest, Anathema, Antaeus, Enthroned, Forgotten Woods, Gorgoroth, Immolation, Secrets of the Moon, Taake, Listenable Records, Osmose Productions & Warner Bros.

So, that's how Soror Dolorosa appear today, which is quite a feat, knowing their respective influences. Andy, as a drummer, has been marked by Black Metal and Metal in general but also by the likes of Human League, Fields of the Nephilim or Ulver's latest albums. Herve is a big fan of The Cure, Depeche Mode and Christian Death. Emey is somewhat influenced by Metallica, Satriani, Vai, but also Blues & Movie Soundtracks. Franck listens to bands as diverse as Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi or The French Variety, as well as Reggae, although he is primarily a Beatles fan. However, since the basics for their songs often come from bass riffs, the colour of the music naturally goes into the direction of Gothic/Death Rock and Cold Wave.  

"Blind Scenes" DigiCD & LP Artwork


"Blind Scenes" Poster

The "Blind Scenes" A2 poster that comes with the LP can also be purchased separately in our online shop.


"Blind Scenes" T-Shirt (sold out)


"Low End" T-Shirt (sold out)

Interviews:

www.lordsofmetal.nl

Reviews:

"Die Tage solcher Bands wie THE SISTERS OF MERCY, THE CURE, BAUHAUS oder JOY DIVISION sind gezählt, doch mit diesem Album wird ein eventueller Entzug nicht nur schnell überwunden, sondern eine ganz neue Droge entfaltet ihre unglaubliche Wirkung. Ungezählte Rotationen haben dieses Album immer weiter wachsen lassen und offenbarten keine bemerkenswerten Schwachpunkte. Das Jahr ist noch lang, das ist mir klar, lieber Leser. Doch ich wage schon mal eine Behauptung: Beim Rückblick auf das Jahr 2011 werden SOROR DOLOROSA meine Erwähnung finden und zwar irgendwo bei den Highlights."
(9.5/10 - www.bloodchamber.de)

"Musik, die sich auszeichnet durch unglaublich empfindsame, weich und doch fast steril und kalt klingende Vocals und einen runden Sound, der fast nur aus leisen Tönen mit zart gezupfter Gitarre zu bestehen scheint. [...] Kaufzwang!"
(11/15 - LEGACY)

"Again and again we are flabbergasted by the intense, melancholic chants. Very enchanting! [...] An amazing entrance in the scene, which will hopefully be a major success! We support them!"
(88/100 - www.lordsofmetal.nl)

(5.5/6 - METALLIAN #64, France)

"Nachdem man - realistisch gesehen - in absehbarer Zeit wohl eher keine neuen Tonträger von THE SISTERS OF MERCY, den FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM, BAUHAUS oder THE CURE zu erwarten hat, stellt "Blind Scenes" von SOROR DOLOROSA die einzig sinnvolle/hörbare Alternative dar. Melanchoholiker jeglicher Couleur können - dem Albumtitel entsprechend - hier tatsächlich "blind" zugreifen..."
(6.5/7 - www.metalnews.de)

"Blind Scenes is an album you will absolutely have to have if your wardrobe contains chained black clothes and thick-platform shoes, or if you wore some dark makeup at some point in your life. If you don’t possess any of those items, don’t despair, put Blind Scenes on and they will teach you the meaning of the highlighted term while rocking you all the way."
(85/100 - www.metalreviews.com)

"Bei diesen Klängen fühlt man sich wirklich zurückversetzt und der Wohlfühlfaktor ist beschlossene Sache. Liebhaber von Bands wie THE CURE oder den SISTERS OF MERCY werden sich bei den Franzosen SOROR SOLOROSA heimisch fühlen. Acht klar produzierte Songs, die eine himmlische Atmosphäre schaffen. Unterm Strich definitiv eine Bereicherung im Genre des Gothic-Rocks."
(12/15 - www.myrevelations.de)

"Aufgepasst! Hier legen die Franzosen ein Werk vor, das zu den Topreleases des Jahres avancieren könnte. [...] Die volle Punktzahl gebe ich nur nicht wegen der Hoffnung, bald noch mehr von Soror Dolorosa zu hören."
(9/10 - ORKUS)

"Fans of New Wave, Goth Rock, and dark music in general will appreciate Blind Scenes, a well paced album that is anchored by the incredible “Low End”. It is refreshing to see members of the black metal scene branching out in this unexpected and ambitious direction, and it is even more satisfying that they have done so so well. This album will be in my rotation for quite some time."
(www.rocknycliveandrecorded.com)

"Andy Julias Stimme ist herausragend – dramatisch und melancholisch gleichzeitig. Dazu kommen ein dunkel wummernder Bass und eine schimmernde Gitarre, aber es ist eindeutig die Stimme von Andy Julia, die das Ganze vom ersten Ton an zu einem Ohrwurm macht. [...] Alles in allem sehr düster und stilvoll. Wer der französischen Variante des 80er-Gitarrensounds etwas abgewinnen kann, liegt hier richtig."
(SONIC SEDUCER)