Virgin Black is self-described as “an anomalous harmony between the juxtapositions of purity and humanity’s darkness.” Well, last night at The Trocadero — where the Adelaide-based Aussies were supporting Samael (too Euro) and Amorphis (lazy as usual) — in Philadelphia Virgin Black juxtaposed purity and humanity’s darkness to the delight of yours truly. So much so, I frantically texted Decibel chief Albert Mudrian my delight. He replied, “Whoa! They’re kinda gay on record, no?” I replied, “The last record ruled, dude.”

I’ve seen my share of metal bands, but few are real. Virgin Black is harrowing on stage. Like Turn Loose the Swans-era My Dying Bride and Ancient Dreams-era Candlemass copulating on the altar of a derelict gothic cathedral, Virgin Black’s orchestral near-funeral doom stops hearts. Frontman Rowan London, even with the keyboard attachment, has a truly inspired presence. He looks and sounds the part of a doom metal frontman who’s saddened yet pissed the End Times are happenin’. Props too for guitarist Samantha Escarbe. Female musicians usually get short shrifted, but Escarbe’s got the doomed hooks and haunting looks. Her night-black hair violently pitching back and forth made her look, well, possessed, while she chorded like a maniac through opener “Domine.” If there’s one band to see before fall turns to winter it’s Virgin fuckin’ Black. Trust me, doomies. Virgin Black’s authentic! Here’s a YouTube link.

The remaining tour dates are as follows:

10/01/08 Wed @ The Chance Theater - Poughkeepsie, NY
10/02/08 Thu @ Palladium - Worcester, MA
10/03/08 Fri @ Foufounes Electriques - Montreal, QC
10/04/08 Sat @ Opera House - Toronto, ON
10/05/08 Sun @ Peabody’s - Cleveland, OH
10/06/08 Mon @ The Pearl Room - Mokena, IL
10/07/08 Tue @ Station 4 - St Paul, MN
10/09/08 Thu @ Knitting Factory - Spokane, WA
10/10/08 Fri @ El Corazon - Seattle, WA
10/11/08 Sat @ Berbati’s Pen - Portland, OR
10/12/08 Sun @ Slim’s - San Francisco, CA
10/13/08 Mon @ House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
10/14/08 Tue @ Jumping Turtle - San Marcos, CA
10/16/08 Thu @ Lola’s Saloon - Ft Worth, TX
10/17/08 Fri @ Scout Bar - San Antonio, TX
10/18/08 Sat @ Scout Bar - Houston, TX

When we aren’t busing making “clever” Trivium references with our headlines, sometimes Decibel actually does cool shit – like signing on to sponsor the annual Relapse Records Contamination Tour!

The 2008 installment of the tour featuring Origin (pictured above), Misery Index and Abysmal Dawn kicks off on July 21st in St. Louis, MO. A listing of confirmed tour dates and cities can be found below with corresponding links to purchase tickets. Start a fucking MySpace profile, Chics!:

July 21: St. Louis, MO @ Rockstar Nightclub

July 22: Fayetteville, AR @ The OPO                                             

July 23: Little Rock, AK @ Downtown Music  (no Abysmal Dawn) 

July 24: Dallas, TX @ Reno’s Chop Shop                                            

July 25: Victoria, TX @ Sun Valley Ranch

July 26: Austin, TX @ Red 7

July 28: El Paso, TX @ Chics

July 29: Farmington, NM @ Gator’s

July 30: Phoenix, AZ @ Modified Arts

July 31: San Marcos, CA @ Jumping Turtle

Aug 1: Hollywood, CA @ Safari Sams

Aug 2: Oakland, CA @ The Metro

Aug 3: Portland, OR @ Satyricon

Aug 4: Roseburg, OR @ Riversdale Grange

Aug 5: Seattle, WA  @ Studio Seven

Aug 6: Boise, ID  @ The Bouquet

Aug 7: Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Vegas

Aug 8: Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep

Aug 9: Lawrence, KS @ The Jackpot

With special guests Darkest Hour and Municipal Waste.

July 10 - New York, NY – Irving Plaza
July 11 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
July 12 – Montreal, QC – Le Medley
July 13 – Toronto, ON – Opera House
July 14 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
July 15 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s
July 17 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
July 18 – San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit
July 21 – Denver, CO – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
July 23 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
July 24 – Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
July 25 – San Francisco, CA- The Fillmore
July 26 – Pomona, CA - Glasshouse
July 27 – Hollywood, CA – Henry Fonda Theatre