Dajana:
An unbelievably dark and melancholy masterpiece comes from Portuguese lands, from a band whose name I've never heard before - DESIRE. I have no idea how this band could escape our attention until now, especially as Locus Horrendus is already their second effort after the band's debut Infinity - A Timeless Journey Through An Emotional Dream in 1996 and the succeeding MCD Pentacrow in 98.

"Melancholic Dark Metal Music For Romantic And Depressive Heartening Souls" is how the band describe their music and that is what it is!

Words, too banal, to live even fractionally up to the music. Yet I think it is my duty to describe their music adequately.
The romantically tragic concept starts with Chapter VIII, which seems to be a logical continuation of the previous releases. There is a main musical theme which goes through the entire album as a red thread. So you never lose the view while sinking into these compositions of sometimes quite opulent pieces. Altogether 11 chapters of inner brokenness are composed of a preludium, a postludium, the chapters and interludes.

Concerning th music different influences can be made out. The way of arrangements reminds me a bit of My Dying Bride. Melodies and classic riffs refer to Morgion and Unholy. And also Moonspell had their influence. But these are all just elements shimmering through, never sounding copied.
Vocalist Tear gives pure goose skins to the willing listener with his abysmal growls and nocturnal whispers. He presents the lyrics in English but also in Portuguese. It seems there is also a second singer, but I couldn't find any notes. Probably there are just different singing parts layered.
The single moments of heartbreaking mournfulness are much varied. Quiet parts filled with acoustic guitars, strings and wonderful piano melodies which stir your emotions deeply alternate with typical guitar sounds. Every instrument comes into its own and assumes the control here and there. Accompanied by an amazing but decent female background singing.
Love Is Suicide is not only a chapter and a lyric's line, but also reflects the content of the whole album. Which other subject could cause such anguish of mind? In Torn Apart you even find some Black Metal influences with speedy hooks. A brilliant cross-section offers you the two-piece, epic monumental ... An Autumnal Night Passion.

DESIRE are not signed to a label at the moment, but nevertheless they seem to have found a very good and affordable studio, as sound and production are absolutely flawless.

Upshot: Locus Horrendus is an absolutely magical masterpiece which awakens deepest feelings, lays bare the fragility of your own soul in your palm and reflects your inner side.

Stacie:
A romantic tragedy of lustful harmonies and striking music combine to make DESIRE’s Locus Horrendus, The Night Cries Of A Sullen Soul a completely radiant piece. With a passionate battle of love and death throughout the entire copulation, DESIRE bestows upon any listener their painful loss and love story inspired by the movie The Crow. Countless songs all ranging from 8-10 minutes fulfills the listener and leaves them hanging on for more.

Any of DESIRE’s heart wrenching tracks will provoke an emotional response. Such as Dark Angel Bird (a poet of tragedies) fills you with such a loss, feeling the words as they are spoken from the vocalist is a gift not many have. Tear makes a dramatic entrance with his climatic sensation of dark emotional howls that seem to bellow out of depths within his soul. From cries to melodic choruses or whispering of the lover’s tale, Tear’s vocals reach out and touch the listener. Soft and heartbreaking melodies that pour from the ivory keys of Ashes seem to flow sweetly with the music’s faultless rhythms. Continuously keeping the music on edge, the beat remains strong with the drums pace, always in sync with the music and never over the top. Guitar and bass perfectly timed within the music’s connotation makes this sound flawlessly completed.

DESIRE has accomplished a unique and utterly piercing sound. From their first demo Infinity… A Timeless Journey Through An Emoional Dream being a timeless classic to this CD Locus Horrendus, The Night Cries Of A Sullen Soul a proven masterpiece, has only confirmed DESIRE as a growingly remarkable band. DESIRE has received comparisons of their sound to Type O Negative’s raw emotion as well as to Dimmu Borgir’s strong musical borders. I personally feel DESIRE rests somewhere in the middle, landing themselves as an alliance for two powerful and great bands. DESIRE has broken music ground with the intensely strong album. DESIRE, ground breaking artists, I solute you for this amazing CD.