Italian Gothic Metal legends THEATRES DES VAMPIRES are back with their eleventh full-length disc, "In Nomine Sanguinis". Blending Symphonic instrumentation with Gothic themes in both the music and the lyrics, they have created a sound that is melodic and ethereal, haunting, and soothing. "In Nomine Sanguinis" was released on November 19, 2021, via Scarlet Records.

The opening track, "Death in Venice," begins with a nice intro. Killer string arrangement that leads into a crunchy guitar riff. The drums are massive and the bass acts more like a rhythm guitar than a timekeeper. The composition is really nice. The vocals work well within the song. The drop at the bridge, then the rebuild is epic. The screeched vocals there add a nice element to the overall tune.

The opening vocal sequence in "Endless Darkness" is interesting. It contrasts with the clear vocals later in the song, setting the styles apart and giving a different texture to that section. The orchestration in the first two songs really adds a lot of depth to the songs. "Christina" opens with a synth-pop keyboard segment before going hard into the main body of the song. More epic strings under a killer guitar riff.

The next few songs all have a melodic intro before getting heavy. Those shifts from light to heavy and light to dark are very well executed. Almost 30 years into their career, THEATRES DES VAMPIRES have learned how to craft songs that can shift in tempo and timbre both. These variations are well-timed and provide distinct points in the song, highlighting their ability to tell a story both lyrically and musically.

"The Void Inside" is a slow burner that builds throughout the song. The addition of male vocals gives a change of pace and adds to the story. When the male and female converge near the end, the extreme differences in the tones set up some tension that is echoed in the instruments. This is nicely done and sounds effortless.

Concluding the record is "Till the Last Drop of Blood." A little faster than some of the other songs, it still has a very melodic sound. The breathiness of Sonya's vocals, heard earlier and revisited here, is a beautiful fit for the tone of the song, especially when the higher pitched vocals come in near the halfway as counterpoint.

The melodic passages used throughout this record are outstanding. The music is well-written and performed meticulously. THEATRES DES VAMPIRES have been writing and performing for almost three decades, honing their tradecraft to near perfection. Is it any wonder their eleventh album is probably their best yet? This is not to discount their earlier work, just to indicate they have continued to grow as musicians. Their ability to create a complete soundscape that surrounds a well-told story is excellent and deserves all the praise it will inevitably receive.