Cold Cave X Blackbird - Death
Blackbird (2019)

Must Love Sage.
This one opens up like pine or fir nettles because the sage note seems demure at first but ends up riding out every other aspect of the perfume. And it's not a short ride - two sprays of this will haunt you like a poltergeist until your next shower. Next in line is the leather - not old, tanned or cured leather but more the suedey type you can find at craft stores. The oud is the only part I find problematic, because it does lend a syrupy, resinous, medicinal tint to this pitch liquid, and I think sandal may have worked better, but you know supply and all that. All in all I am surprised this was the co-creation of a darkwave band, because the ingredients are of sound quality and the performance is stellar. Grab your smudge sticks, strap on your favorite biker jacket, and get ready to banish some demons, because Ghost Rider has been released again.

Let's get the basics out of the way. This fragrance has a strong sillage and lasts for around 12 hours. It is complex and engaging. It is VERY unique. On me, alone, it has a bit of a rank odor, so I layer it with sweeter scents like Montale's Vanilla Absolute; then it becomes a MONSTER. It is alchemy at its best.

Now for the story it tells, think Brothers Grimm...

Cold Cave Death is haunting and alluring, projecting dark fertile earth, wet metallic stone, oud or cumin, rose and maybe blackberry. It is dark and cold in one moment and at the same time it strongly beckons you into the mirage of a wild rose garden. It is a dark wet cave you should not have entered but you just can't stop yourself from exploring further; and then you see HER - The Sorceress. She is hauntingly beautiful and wearing a heavy black velvet cape. The perfumed air that emanates from its folds syphons all who dare to approach her into its mystery. All is lost to magic and no one knows what will emerge.