THEATRE OF TRAGEDY - Velvet Darkness They Fear Full Album 

The epitome of gothic metal. Dark, beautiful, poetic, with Shakespearean lyrics and beauty-and-the-beast vocals.

In a hundred years, if we are still here, that album will be taught in music classes. Over 20 years and im still listening to this.

I've been listening to it for about 25 years

0:00 Velvet Darkness They Fear 1:04 Fair and 'Guiling Copesmate Death 8:11 Bring Forth Ye Shadow 15:02 Seraphic Deviltry 20:20 And When He Falleth 27:29 Der Tanz der Schatten 33:00 Black as the Devil Painteth 38:26 On Whom the Moon Doth Shine 44:42 The Masquerader and Phoenix --- Bonus Tracks --- 52:18 Der Tanz der Schatten [Demo] 58:25 Black as the Devil Painteth [Demo] 1:04:20 And When He Falleth [Demo]

When people hear this growls they say how can you listen to such a music? They will never understand how dark and deep this tones are and what a medicine for a wounded soul they are. This album is one of the darkest metal albums ive ever heard. The perfection of Doom/Gothic metal.

I listen to this album since 1997. Absolute masterclass!

I'm still in love with Liv Kristine's voice. So beautiful...

Had this on original tape as a kid. Love this album forever.

It's almost sad and disappointing how the listeners don't give them enough credit for the lyrics, it is absolutely phenomenal!!! Don't get me wrong, this whole album is truly a masterpiece; Vocally and Musically but those poetic gothic lyrics are just otherworldly. . .

I was 15 years old. My grandmother Gave me 600 belgian franks to spend on the yearly town fair. I went to the future sound, a renomated cd store in Izegem, Lieven the boss pitched Velvet darkness they fear. I had to check it there on the cd players with a headphone. Yes boys and girls and woke things, you had to listen a few minutes and buy it. I bought this album. Best money ever spend. It would have been lost in the fair in a few minutes. Now i still enjoy my money! Ive been a metalhead for 30 years now. This album is one of the most important in my life. I have played it during mourning, drunk bbqs, orgasms, boring car rides, in the sauna.... This is great music. Cherish it. And Liv Kristine, as A teenager i dreamed about communicating with you! "please drop me a message!!

this is one of the most beautiful album covers i've ever seen

this album is a life saver

For some reason youtube algorithm deemed my ears worthy to recommend this to me. I am grateful to the youtube algorithm.

Those aren't just songs, those are entire compositions and suites. Truly beautiful music and really, gothic. Such a pity there aren't bands like this anymore, that make real music like this. This album, also Aegis and Therion's Vovin are absolute classics and masterpieces. You can tell - just by how timeless they are - whether you listen to it in 1999, 2009 or 2019.. incredible. I'm sure Ill still be listening to these in 2029 too! ❤️

The combination of Liv's voice with Vincent Price dialogue is magnificent!!!

the 90's and early 2000's was when some of the best metal bands and albums in history was released, prove me wrong.

Heavy Metal therapy for me. I made it through life thanks to this album.

Searched for it again after all of these years....I remember listen to this gem back then alone, in a dark room on my discman. Just me, the music and the journey it has taken me on. No distraction or whatsoever. Still beautiful

Who's still listening ? You are brilliant...

the voice of Liv Kristine is unreal. beautiful!

Das Album das ich von allen am meistens Liebe, bin damit aufgewachsen und mittlerweile 37.. The Album i love the most of all, grew up witht it, and im now 37 years old..

The hallmark Gothic album, incredible masterpiece.

This is the first time I heard this band and it's 2022 what a kick ass album!!

My favorite album forever and ever 💜

I was in a band, we used to play On whom the moon doth shine and Der tanz der schatten, salutes from Pereira, Colombia

This algum marks me. I listen it 20 years a go, by a friend who gives me a music tape of it, an amateur copy. It was before I became a Latino Brazilian punk guy who wats to breaks the system. Even 20 yeas had passed, I remember every song of that music tape. F***k good music.

Cant find words to describe that album. Just heavenly..

Viajo en el tiempo y vuelvo a mí adolescencia 16 años ufffff, lo mejores días!!!!

Por mucho que ame Aegis, hay que reconocer que este es el mejor álbum de la banda. Excelente de principio a fin.

YOU'RE ONE OF THE GRATEST RECORD LABELS EVER!! And I'm so gratefull that you share this increíble album.. i bougth it in 98 to be honest, after one off my best friends show it to me..... unvelieveble from the very portrait... since that day I haven't stopped to hear it at least every month... SINCE NOW!!!! I LOVE THEM I I LOVE MASSACRE RECORDS SINCE THEN AND TILL NOW!!! THANK Y'ALL FCKRS!!! YOU'RE ALL HAVE BEEN GREAT THRU ALL THIS YEARS!!! THANK YOU ALL SO FCKNG MUCH!! REALLY!!!!

29.10.2019 Muzyka mojej młodości . Teraz mam 41 lat i dalej twierdzę że to zajebisty zespół 👍

Modern gothic metal bands like Epica, Within Temptation, Nightwish sound way too cheesy for me. This is way better and captures that dark atmosphere I'm looking for.

I'm just relaxing of the music that influence me of negative thoughts but now that I'm a Father I have to prepare for the evil things in this world to protect of any circumstances to my children and I hope for you Amen.

Wow just discovering this band and it’s completely amazing! The medieval themes mixed in with the grinding metal and the combined female and male vocals is all so overwhelmingly beautiful!

Best album ever! My favorite album from my favorite band. Every song in this is perfect. The beautiful voice of Liv, the growls of Raymond, the wonderful lyrics, and the excellent music. I've been listening to it for years and I have never gotten tired of it.

Este es uno de los mejores albunes del gothic metal, sino es el mejor. es un trabajo excelente y no me canso de escucharlo.

Bought this when it was new in 1996 and then Aegis in 1998. There was a TofT in 1994, but this was the best. Aegis was a bit more pop, and good too, but this one was their masterpiece! Very dark, yet pleasantly melodic!

I have been listening to the music of TT since 2000. 20 years have passed, and I continue to listen...

What a master piece! One of the best gothic album ever made. I love this mix of growl and soft soprano voice. It's romantic and dark at this same time. One of my favourite s album.

My big brother gave me this when I was 11 or something. Back in the 90's I remember Listening to the album and reading the lyrics at the same time. I still remember how i saw stories form in my mind. This is still a great album and quite timeless.

So many memories. In love with this magnificent album

Icon of doom gothic. The compositions, lyrics, sound, and atmosphere... golden 90s... a truly impressive gem. When I got it in 2000... together with Therion-Vovin and Haggard-And thou shalt trust the seer... it definitely changed my life forever.

I don't think I've ever listened to an album more times than I have listened to this one, the weird part is that I am not into gothic metal, I listen to thrash, death, heavy and a bit of black, yet this one is definitively in my top 5 favorite albums

Nightwish brought me here and I thank them for that

Este disco de theare of tragedy y el world of glassess de tristania me hicieron ver más allá...algo mágico!!!!

2023 y sigo escuchando esta obra sublime,para mi el mejor de la banda de principio a fin.

A remarkable Masterpiece in Gothic Metal!!!

This album is the first gothic metal i heard and i guess the Gothic metal was made for Theatre of tragedy

24 años sin escuchar este disco …cuantos recuerdos de la infancia con esta obra maestra que llegó a la manos de un amigo en un cd original que - si mi memoria no me falla- compró en la tienda de oñoro en bogota

As an ardent lover of doom/gothic music, 'Velvet Darkness They Fear', a full album by Theatre of Tragedy, has resonated perfectly with my musical senses. This album is profoundly dark yet beautiful, and much like a piece of romantic literature, it draws you into its complex textures and profound depth. Each track is meticulously crafted; there's a perpetual sense of mournful beauty intertwined with supremely heavy doom progressions. The dual vocal arrangement showcased in the album is extremely impressive, with Liv Kristine's soprano beautifully juxtaposed against the dark growls. It lends a distinctive dynamic and unique twist to the gothic/doom genre. The instrumental accompaniments are harmoniously heavy and the keyboard melodies deliver an ethereal quality that leaves an indelible imprint in your memory. Songs like "Fair and 'Guiling Copesmate Death" and "Der Tanz der Schatten" are hauntingly melancholic, demonstrating Goth rock in its purest form. The lyrics are poetic, gloomy, and touch on themes of despair, darkness, and death. This album is indeed a masterpiece. However, it might not appeal to everyone, especially those unfamiliar with doom/gothic music. Yet, for the fans of the genre, it is a gem, a perfectly distilled musical craftsmanship amidst the haunting darkness they fear. In conclusion, 'Velvet Darkness They Fear' can be described as an odyssey into the deepest quarters of gothic music, offering an emotionally intense, sonically breathtaking and lyrically profound journey that any doom/gothic music aficionado will appreciate. Theatre of Tragedy's triumphant effort in this album has solidified their standing in the genre, a testament to their impeccable blend of heaviness and melodious beauty. The Velvet Darkness They Fear, by the Theatre of Tragic is an album that has, in my heart, remained an emblem of powerful and emotive gothic/doom music since its release back in 1997. The album has stood the test of time, and every time I tune in, it brings back the nostalgia of that era while still sounding fresh and captivating.

This is an absolute masterpiece...I discovered this band and tristania the same day.i was at METAL HAVEN RECORDS IN CHICAGO mark the owner was a good friend of mine and had everything metal you could think of and I purchased this and tristania got home and drank a fifth of booze and put these albums on and was blown away at how dark and dreary and majestic this was !!!! I'd listened to stuff like my dying Bride ,morgion ,paradise lost , opeth, candle mass, solitude ateurnis as far as the more atmospheric doomy stuff but this was more poetic more gothic and just soaked with blood ❤!!!! So I highly recommend getting this as well as their live videos from like twenty years ago or so they're great live 😝🎸🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟

The Title of the album describes exactly what I expire in this moment. I dress in black velvet and the people fear me.. but why ?? They have fear from their own depts. Life is not always happy beppy. That's why I love my deepground melancholic Aspekt.. and this music. I listen theatre of tragedy since I am 16 and I love them . They lead me on my depts and healed my heart.. the most people do not understand this... because they never experienced deep pain and darkness within their selves... Thank you theatre of tragedy for leading me Soo long through me dark passions so I see the light. And darkness. Both is one..

Undoubteadly one of the best gothic metal albums worlwide by one of the best gothic metal bands ever.... Still listening to this wonderful gothic metal masterpiece... Greetings from Loja, Ecuador..

как же здорово, что мне в подростковом возрасте под руку попались именно такие группы, как ТОТ!:) сейчас мне 36, а старые альбомы переслушиваю иногда с удовольствием. где мои 17 лет...

24:13 - omg the rain of tingles on my back from brain downto floor! such a gold dialog!

at that time, albums like this was the break of constant listening of thrash/death/black metal...hahaha.still beautiful

I remember buying Aegis on CD back in '98. A total masterpiece. I got Velvet a few weeks later. Another masterpiece. All of ToT's releases were killer - even Liv's latest ones w/ the band.

DAMN ....I love this album.

Зачарован этим творением навсегда... Мелодии не выходят из моей головы до сих пор!🎸🔥

The only other band I've ever heard that's given them a run for their money was Tristania.

What a masterpiece, what a voice. Gothic style is always liked in Turkiye. But that album is just WoW

pure gold is an understatement, confirmed. Was there when it came, decades ago, and against the test of time? Still pure art in upheaval. I enjoy this, hope you do , too..

Que gran disco!!! 2022 días lluviosos en Santiago Chile y todavía escuchando este disco, una obra maestra del gothic metal

2023 sigue sonando fresco mejor que muchos discos nuevos Adelantados a su época por milenios

I haven't heard this album for ages. It's still great. In my opinion it's a gem 🙂

Listened to this in 1997 omg I found it again!!! 🎉🎉❤ I am absolutely in love 😊

hell i bought this cd in 2000? i still have the same one and it great condition. amazing album and my favorite by them still.

Amazing. Thank you very much for uploading this.

huh...never heard of this band before....popped up on recommended........They have a new fan now.....

Definitively one of my Top 5 of the CDs I own. This album is freaking amazing!

this I´ve first heard when I was 16 and it had quite an influence on what I enjoy to listen 20 years later. Fuck yeah

outstanding masterpiece !

2020 ... still a masterpiece

This album uncovers dark and stunning places of after life. so touching.

Gran disco, es una belleza melancolía, oscuridad y sinfonía gran obra maestra para disfrutar en la lluvia

This album is an absolute masterpiece. I can’t stop listening to it over and over again. I am so happy. I discovered this album. It is one of the greatest albums ever made, and I am happy that I know that.

Absofuckinglutely awesome. A one of a kind masterpiece.

One of those very few bands that really expressed the Gothic feeling in all its essence, Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Type O Negative, Beseech, early Sirenia, etc are the other bands that I can take from the top of my head with a similar approach. 🦇

Одна из лучших групп всех времен в своем жанре. Этот альбом как маленькая жизнь. Каждый раз слушая погружаешься в другой мир. Удивительно, что через 20 лет меня также сильно трогает эта запись за душу. Шедевры не умирают. Навсегда в сердце.

WHY I`M HERE? FOR A REASON! I EVEN YEARS AGO BOUGHT THE T-SHIRT WITH THE ALBUM COVER ON IT! SO COOL! ME PERSONALY STATING RIGHT NOW- THE BEST TOT`S ALBUM MADE. LOVE THE OTHER`S TOO, BUT THIS ONE IS SPECIAL. ONCE I `VE MET LIV KRISTINE ON TOUR IN CHICAGO WITH ATR*CITY AND MOONS*ELL (ALREADY WITH "LEAVE`S EYES), VERY NICE PERSON. BUT SHE DIDN`T WANTED TO TALK ABOUT TOT ERA! AFTER HER`S DEPARTURE FROM THEBAND, THEY RIGHT-A-WAY HAVE HAD CHANGED THEIR STYLE. I ONLY TRIED, BECAUSE I`M BAND`S BIG FAN SINCE THE FIRST ALBUM, (ME OWN THOUGHT) STILL LISTEN TO IT ONCE IN THE WHILE. ACTUALLY, THIS TIME, I MAINLY PUT IT BACK ON TO LISTEN ONE TINY PART FROM - FROM 24:24 TO 26:05, part #5! ALWAYS WAS, SINCE THE FIRST TIME! THE WHOLE THING ROCKS, BUT "THIS ONE"! ONE OF THE FINEST PIECES EVER MADE IN THE WHOLE MUSIC HISTORY! THANX THEM FOR THAT! NO, THANK YOU ALL OF YOU GUYS (I MEAN THE WHOLE CREW, EVERYONE INVOLVED IN MAKING IT HAPPENED). -VERY MUCH! I MEAN IT! REGARDS, THOMAS (POLAND-CHICAGO)

2022 e ainda escutando esse disco inteiro

año 2020...no me canso de escuchar increible banda ...

True Gothic. I miss old days with bands such as ToT, Tristatania. Days when WT sounds Enter-like. Days when Floor were in AF and made pure beauty...

Been listening to this masterpiece since it came out and still love it as the first day.

El mejor álbum del Gotic Metal sin dudas una joya inigualable, brutal melancólica, oscuro,negro,

Coming back in 2023.. Still here.. 🎶

I was listening to this 10 years before it came out. I'm very cool!

They do not get enough recognition. Some of the most atmospheric metal ever created.

Este álbum es una chimba, lo escucho desde finales de los 90´s y me sigue sorprendiendo!!

My gothic-style girlfriend and highschool years 💘

Theatre of tragedy se ha consagrado como banda culto del doom o gothic metal y ha sido el referente para que bandas como Tristania, Nightwish y WT aparezcan en escena. Sin duda TOT dejó un excelente legado en la musica.

First time listening to this album... wish I did it sooner, this stuff is really good!

This is the best album in this genre of music !

The album cover art...MY GOD!!!

It helps me with sorrow.. Very good music.. Love it

Best enjoyed on a gloomy day with non-stop rain. Timeless dark beauty with a sorrow that comforts the soul.

unica e irrepetible obra de arte

Love this album is what I consider a beautiful masterpiece that many have tried and failed thank you for sharing this.

One of my favourites. Takes me back

Epic masterpiece..!