The cruel wait for August, when MDB unleash their ninth studio album, only prolongs both the suffering and the anguished, bitter joy provided by this DVD compilation. And alas, the Bride has suffered the loss of some key players since these vids were recorded, including violinist/keyboardist Martin Powell, who now wrings bleak strains for Cradle of Filth alone. Okay, so maybe I've caught the Bride's deliciously mournful vibe, as will you -- it's contagious. This disc contains all the band's promotional videos up to The Angel and the Dark River, a full live set from Krakow, Poland in '96, the famous Dynamo appearance from '95, and other goodies you'll have to discover for yourself. Of the promos, the choicest and most artful is "The Songless Bird," with its psychedelic dazzle; the strangest is "The Thrash of Naked Limbs" (lots of Latin script, the boys with torches, some kind of bondo scene going on) and the most pretentious is "The Cry of Mankind," where vocalist Aaron does his Christ shtick. Of the live footage, Krakow is brilliantly crisp although a bit excessive in its use of the star filter, while the Dynamo set is bathed in orange gel. Beyond historical curiosity, however, the latter show might have been handily omitted or overdubbed, full as it is of sour notes and missed cues. That's a minor caveat, though. For Darkest Eyes crams in much for your doom dollar, and provides a strong visual showcase for this brilliant band. And while the months ache on till summer, word from the label has guitarist/key songwriter Andy "buzzing like a refrigerator" with fresh material -- so hang in and spin this one in the meantime (but go easy on the cough syrup.) .

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