A very nice compilation of death/doom/black here, featuring band`s first demo and cassette album by thislegendary, oldand long defunct Polish band.First off, we get a really good-looking booklet with old zine cut-outs and this powerful “I am back to the pre- internet times” vibe all over. Nice, indeed. Music? Let me put their music in context, if you don’t mind.It ought to be remembered that SAMAELhad a huge influence over the Polish metal scene in the early nineties, and, in result, a number of new bands emerged, bringing forth their darkness-filledmusic; inspired, to a greater or lesserextent, by the Swiss. If asked I would happily provide you with a number of such bands: PANDEMONIUM, TARANIS, XANTOTOL and this very DARK OPERA. Of course, the degree and the way (to) which SAMAELinspired those bands weredifferent, with various doses of death, black and doom metal injected and blended into their music. And to tell you the truth, I kept blasting old stuff by these bands incessantly back in the day. DARK OPERAwas, in my humble opinion, the most death metal-oriented amongst the other, above-listen groups. I love this reeky, mouldy vibe of The Day of the Pariah demo especially. The vocals are really awesome on this recording. This is pure underground, yet the production is really good. Would say this stuff is 100 per cent pure old death/doom/black. It aged definitely well.No need to blather anymore, so, well, time to wrap up this review, I reckon. Guys, get this cd, this is cult stuff along with PANDEMONIUM`s Devilry (re-released by Old Temple as well a year ago or so). Hell, this cd makes me wanta skip school like I used to do in the past, stay home on some cold February day for instance and blast this music from my freaking portable cd boombox. Very recommended, a real must have!

Paweł Wojtowicz