Black Fortress of Opium‘s Stratosphericalis is another album that didn’t fit with Summer’s heat, but is quite enjoyable in Autumn’s chill. Named for the Turkish town of Afyonkarahisar and led by “The Turkish Queen” Ajda, Black Fortress of Opium has the kind of haunting Goth sound of late ’90s/early aught bands like Lacuna Coil, Miranda Sex Garden and Rasputina. Standout tracks are “Blood Diamond,” “Blind,” “Regret & Rue,” “Unraveling” and “Cherry Blossom.”
Black Fortress of Opium Official Site
The Prize:
1 copy of Black Fortress Of Opium’s self-titled CD
The Rules:
Comment to this entry with your email address. Music recommendations are also welcome. You may also email me to enter, but comments are preferred.
Note: Due to postage expenses, this contest is limited to people within the continental United States. I’m sorry for that, but I’ll be paying the postage myself this time around. The winner of the contest will be required to provide me with their full name and postal address. Your contact information will only be used for shipping purposes, but it is required in order to qualify.
The Deadline:
The contest will end on Wednesday, April 30th. The winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email.
Go now go! And tell others.
The opener “House of Edward Devotion” rises from an exotic gypsy banjo pluck into churning rock guitars, and “Black Rope Burns” is a bluesier track accented with lovely mandolin. Meanwhile, it’s Ajda’s voice that carries most of the hypnotic “Ari” – inspired by Velvet Underground singer Nico’s only child – until the guitars kick in for the extended second half. “Model Café” takes a surprising turn into country twang, and the seductive blues number “From A Woman To A Man” would suit a David Lynch bar scene.
