Les Fleurs du Mal (Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows album)

Les Fleurs du Mal is a studio album by the German darkwave/gothic band Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows, released in 2007. The title, directly translated from French as "The Flowers of Evil," is a reference to the renowned collection of poetry by Charles Baudelaire of the same name.

Musically, Les Fleurs du Mal continues the band's signature sound, blending elements of baroque music, gothic rock, and dark ambient. The album is characterized by its melancholic atmosphere, unconventional instrumentation, and Anna-Varney Cantodea's distinctive vocals, often described as operatic and theatrical. Lyrically, Les Fleurs du Mal delves into themes of despair, death, isolation, and the exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche, consistent with the themes explored in Baudelaire's poetry.

The album features a complex and layered sonic landscape, employing instruments such as harpsichords, strings, horns, and distorted guitars. It is considered one of the more accessible albums in Sopor Aeternus's discography, while still retaining the band's unique and challenging artistic vision. The album's cover art and accompanying promotional materials further contribute to its overall aesthetic, drawing inspiration from Victorian-era imagery and gothic literature. It is generally regarded as a significant work within the darkwave and gothic subgenres.