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butrinovad – :
Vetiver tends to go far too sour on me, and Lampblack went a little too much in that direction for my own liking and for so long that I couldn’t enjoy it much. I could not understand the name of it, as it seemed as bright a fragrance as any. However, when it dried way down, after a few hours the sourness finally calmed down, I guess the lamp finally went black because it smelled literally like ink. Like when you write a real letter with a ball point pen, and the scent of the ink emanates from the paper. At that point I really love Lampblack! Found it fascinating that the smell of ink could smell so darn good on my skin. The question is would I wait a few hours to get to that point? Could I learn to like the first few hours? The jury is still out. (next thing you know I will be waxing lyrical about my new-found love for tangy vetiver fragrances, with Lampblack as my “gateway drug”!)
Teentunmany – :
Lampblack is so fabulous, so good that had it been a mainstream release from say Dior or Cartier, it would be as sought after as Bulgari Black once was. Just the right balance of refined and novel: citrus and newsprint that goes on and on in a variety of effect-creating ingredient combinations, always flawlessly on key and keeping the theme going.
My favorite of BF along with Vetiverissimo, both beautiful twists on vetiver (and I don’t even usually like vetiver).
tyron85 – :
Black ink and smoke…the citrus is tiny, almost undetectable…a great fragrance in great packaging…
Boychiki – :
I first heard about this from on Michael Malice’s show “Your Welcome”. I always liked the smell of ink and when he explained Bruno Fazzolari produced a fragrance that attempted to produce the smell of ink I had to try it. I bought the Portfolio set offered on the website and I really enjoy Lampblack. It has a smell of vetiver but not as powerful as a Encre Noir. The other scents really make this a great fragrance and is one of my favorites from Bruno Fazzolari.
krabs111 – :
This is basically a standard men’s woody citrus. Just treat yourself to a bottle of Tom Ford’s Grey Vetiver EDT if you don’t have any stores near you seeking this! Even something like David Beckham Instinct smells the same. I guess marketing this as artisanal unisex was a nice diversion.
igorek032 – :
Fresh yet smoky, spare and austere yet with some depth to it. For me it conjures an angular charcoal sketch, or some slightly chilly character from the art world in designer glasses; very, very modern and not out to ingratiate itself with new friends. The grapefruit and cypriol come on with no compromise. The other notes (pepper, orange) add nuance but not much warm or opulence to my nose.
For me (very much ambivalent about vetiver) it’s a great achievement to be tolerable at all, and it might bloom into something more wonderful in warmer weather, but this one doesn’t bowl me over. Strongly reminiscent of Encre Noire, but more restrained and so more wearable. Probably far more appealing to male than female users (except for the vetiver fanatics) but still certainly unisex. Might be fantastic on a cool guy in a fiercely hot climate. Projection not huge, longevity moderate, but that’s all in keeping with its restrained, kinda minimalist feel.
Mexvj564elipseskism – :
this is god damn glorious; a perfect example of materials cohering seamlessly to exceed the sum of their parts. attempting a note breakdown to explain the effect of this fragrance is completely redundant. the overall impression I get from this fragrance is that of a smouldering sunset refracted through smog to produce otherwordly color, a seething, post-apocalyptic aura. there is vestiges of vintage, gasoline-addled masculines in Lampblack, but the touch is more of a nice homage than a replication and is ingeniously offset by the sharp, uncanny grapefruit-cypriol effect. In this sense, Lampblack merges past with future until they’re no longer points of reference; the organic and synthetic until they’re almost indistinguishable… I’m just glad this exists.
jane.k – :
Wow this is nice! I get that ink vibe but it’s so much more than that. Very well done & absolutely gorgeous. This is a winner for sure… that citrus twang surrounded by the vetiver sets this a part from anything I’ve ever smelled before. This is my second from this house & it’s definitely my favorite this far. Longevity is a perfect 6+ hours & the projection is a good 5 feet… GET YOUR NOSE ON THIS ONE!
Vizanov – :
One of the most unique and intriguing fragrances to have come out recently. Inspired by “India Ink” which is formulated with soot from burning oil lamps, this composition uses a central note of nagarmotha (cypriol oil) and blends it beautifully with grapefruit, vetiver, and spice. The results are breathtaking, reflecting a gorgeous interplay of light and dark and still maintaining a beautiful wearability. This is a must try for adventurous perfume lovers. A masterpiece of modern perfumery and puts this very intelligent perfume designer on the map.
driver6501 – :
Of the six Bruno Fazzolari fragrances I have tested, this one has been the most difficult for me to review. Not because it is a “difficult scent,” but because I just wasn’t sure how I felt about it, and also after reading all the other reviews, it wasn’t really what I was expecting. After hearing about smoke and vetiver, I was imagining that this might be something like a darker, inkier Chanel Sycomore, but this is not remotely like that at all.
Lampblack opens with a note that strikes me as birch tar, although I suppose it must be the cypriol in combination with vetiver and other notes. (Perhaps there may be some birch tar in the unlisted ingredients?) Since birch tar is commonly used as an element of leather accords in perfumery, I suppose that this is why multiple reviewers have identified “leather” in this fragrance. As it happens, I am no fan of birch tar or birch-based leather accords, so the opening of this fragrance is a bit of a challenge for me. However, after multiple wearings it has grown on me more than I would have expected. Still can’t say that I love it, but it is interesting. Sillage in the opening phase is moderately strong, and this lasts a good 90 minutes before fading.
Beneath the tar one catches glimpses of something brighter, like glints of shining metal under a layer of soot. Gradually the soot crumbles away and this bright note becomes the focus. It is the grapefruit in combination with vetiver and sweet orange, plus a bit of pepper. There is, perhaps, a tenuous resemblance to Terre d’Hermes — as if TdH were re-interpreted as a niche scent with all-natural ingredients, subtle sillage, and no harsh edges.
The grapefruit note fades very gradually, and eventually Lampblack dries down to a soft, powdery benzoin. I have found it to last 8-12 hours, albeit with fairly soft projection from the second hour onward, and as just a benzoin skin scent for the last few hours.
So in some ways, Lampblack seems to invert the usual pyramid. Instead of citrus resting on a base of leather, it opens with leather and moves into citrus. (Of course, the citrus is present from the start, but the tarry note mostly overwhelms it in the beginning, at least on me.) And then back to a regular pyramid with benzoin in the deep dry-down.
This is probably Bruno’s most masculine scent, in my opinion. Of the six scents of his that I have tested, my ranking (in order of preference) would be: (1) Five, (2) Monserrat, (3) Lampblack, (4) Feu Secret, (5) Room 237, (6) Au Dela Narcisse. All of them are extremely well-executed, quality fragrances that betray an intelligence and a particular sensibility — classic yet innovative — in their compositions. They all balance restraint with daring, though some fall more on one side of that spectrum than others. (Interesting to me that my two favorites are probably the least daring.) This ranking merely reflects my personal preferences of what I like to wear; I think ADN is an excellent fragrance, but I just don’t like to wear classically indolic white-floral perfumes. Ultimately, I will be purchasing a bottle of Five. But I would be pretty happy with Lampblack, too.
Deroxudbae – :
Lampblack seems to be Bruno Fazzolari’s most celebrated release, and so in purchasing the Portfolio sample set, I was most looking forward to trying out.
It lives up to the darkness of its name, perhaps best summarized as an “inky vetiver.” I get a damp, earthy quality from it, but admittedly something also seemingly synthetic in the inky vein. I don’t detect too many of the listed notes—citrus at the onset, sure, and maybe some pepper, but not benzoin or any of the other items; granted, some of the notes are probably imaginary as with Imaginary Authors.
Certainly geared more toward cold weather but not prohibitively dense for warm weather wearing, especially at night, Lampblack is strong but not overwhelming, consistent with what I’m sensing is a trend of good projection but great longevity from Bruno Fazzolari’s line.
I’m not in love with it but I do like it more than I generally like vetiver-dominant fragrances, and it makes for an intriguing entry in the line.
7 out of 10
kond70 – :
This is an excellent cold weather scent that recalls a cozy night by the fire in a ski chalet, with smoke, wood, leather, and vetiver. This is the exact opposite of summertime and florals. I like this kind of scent, and it has subtleties that give it charm. It reminded me of Tom Ford’s “Tuscan Leather” if it had smoke wafting through it. The vetiver is a good base for this scent, because it keeps it grounded in the woodsy, green realm. It is not super powerful, but it makes its presence known, with the smoky oud wood incense element. I did not catch ink or tar, but more of a black oud, which I enjoy in any perfume. This is a charming black oud leather vetiver with some degree of staying power that will be good for someone who is looking for a high quality, complex scent of this type. There is a faint plastic hint in the background, which makes it interesting. As a woman, I would have no qualms about wearing this — it does not scream masculinity. On a woman, this is charming and unexpected. All you need is this on your naked skin, a cozy fire, something to drink, and a plush blanket, and your evening (with friend) is complete.
nayk12345 – :
Yuk. citrus, fruit and incense at first then just rotten fruit with a little road tar
demonolog666 – :
What a _beautiful_ composition. I can barely bring wrist down to keyboard to type this review, as the arm is firmly glued to nose.
While not identical, the citrus-vetiver-benzoin combo reminds me of Euphorium Brooklyn’s “Usar”. Usar is slightly more camphoric; while Lampblack has more petroleum note. Raw Spirit’s Bijou Vert has similar notes, while being exceedingly green.
I received this Lampblack sample vial from Tigerlily Perfumery (San Francisco), after spending the day testing over a 100 frags. Tigerlily staff was *so* nice.. very warm & inviting.. and gave me this Lampblack vial to take home. After testing all those frags, *this* turned out to be the favorite! I’ll always associate this scent with the lovely day spent at their store, and their kindness. Will be saving up for this! 🙂
ахрютка – :
“Lampblack” is fantastically vibrant and modern vetiver.
It opens with a sting of tart grapefruit, then a dry, smoky cypriol and pepper which instantly gives things a distinct woodshop feel; wet paint, sanded work counters and charcoal. The orange and benzoin inject enough mellow, juicy sweetness to balance and cushion the more bitter, smokier aspects of the composition, allowing it to remain fresh and youthful smelling.
The overall effect, for me, conjures up memories of taking life drawing classes in a student workshop at college, inhaling the scent of warm redolent wood furniture, varnish, paint cans, graphite pencils and tinges of Tutti-Frutti bubble gum.
I listen to a lot of Jazz hop (chilled out instrumental hip hop with jazz sampling -check out artists like “Nujabes” for reference). I feel that “Lampblack” is the olfactory embodiment of that music.
misha85 – :
I can understand the interest in this as it is strangely plastic and futuristic. Trouble is that it has no depth, dimension,colour, texture or humour.
Other people like Tauer and Pregoni do this sort of thing with a sense of haha and finesse.
Total scrubber!
ursa1997 – :
I agree that it is the jack of all trades or utility knives of vetiver scents. The bright citrus opening turns into an earthy melancholy dry down. Not so dark as let’s say Encre Noire but the gloomy vibe is present. I find it to last between 5-7 hours the 2 times that I sampled it which is acceptable in my book. One of the better niche vetiver scents in my book.
Kozyavka – :
Wow! Lampblack certainly grabbed my attention with it’s dirty, boozy (make that petroleum) like introduction. There’s a sharpness there from the citrus but a dirty coal smell starting to develop which is perfect considering the name.
Just to say I haven’t sampled anything from Bruno Fazzolari to date but I’m drawn to fragrances with names like Lampblack & Room 237 (anything that references The Shining has to be worth a sniff right?)
So top marks for creating intrigue before I’ve even sampled them.
As it settles down on my skin it’s all about that Cypriol oil adding a spicy earth to proceedings. However, the further drydown is lighter on it’s feet and I can actually smell the grapefruit now and what is more of a vetiver sort of vibe.
Interesting stuff, I thought it was going to be hellishly strong after that opening but is actually quite disappointing. I love the way in which it has mellowed now.
So a really good scent then but I feel it will be one to divide fragrance fans.
Phoenix966 – :
My first venture into Bruno Fazzolari’s creations, and all I can say is fantastic! There is an almost Comme des Garcons futuristic, well-crafted synthetic nature to this. This is dry and light, but carries it’s fragrance with projection. The vetiver and spice interplay with a plastic and rubber accord. I don’t get a smokiness here, but a definite dark synthetic that is described as ink. I think this could be worn in a variety of situations, including the office, and be just different enough to gain compliments, or at least inquiries! Thumbs up!
Desperado – :
Ok so I have never reviewed anything before, but I got a sample of this today at the scentbar. I was transported by someone with this description.
“Picture a new shower curtain smell.” That is it!! It is a fantastic thing, not bad in anyway.
I get hit with the citrus in the opening, then the top notes fade and I get this fantastic showercurtainesque smell with a wonderful vetiver note.
This a absolutely full bottle worthy. Next stop in the bar, I’m leaving with this. Bloody brilliant!
bbgggdeerrr – :
This starts off attractively, with a lifted grapefruit aroma and just a tiny touch of citruses. The vetiver expands but never gets overtly woody as it joins the hint of spices. No one note is top heavy. This is very fresh and crisp with mingling light citruses and interesting earthy enticements. Nothing here is overdone, the balance just right. Perfect fragrance for a job interview. This should be quite popular as it’s tantamount to a utility knife; good for all purposes.
zulu2150 – :
I don’t think I’ve ever had such a visceral and altogether clear image and reaction to a scent as in this one.
Opening with the impression of wet paint on my skin, it reminds me very much of the art studio I worked in over the course of my degree. 200 years old, it has always stood as a university of the arts, and you could smell the residual accents of 100s of years of creativity within it. Ink, charcoal, hints of smoke, dust, wet paint and turpentine. I find all of that reflected in the opening of this. It takes me right back to the days of repainting the walls after every term, where glistening white would cover over all the marks left behind, returning the rooms to their usual stark, gallery setting.
However, what happens next both disturbed me and comforted me in its profound and quite personal imagery. It smells of my dad, or more specifically, him and his house. He is a hoarder, though he denies this to the very day. Stacks of old sound systems, miners lamps, ornaments, clothes, model sailing boats, antiques and all manner of other bits and pieces, all clamber together like a veritable Aladdin’s cave as soon as you open the front door. The dust is palpable in the air, along with the distinct musty odor of old, thick, flannel shirts from charity shops. In the kitchen he has a workbench where he cuts and shapes wood into walking sticks and models of old coal mining towers, that he also collects. All of this seems to coalesce into his very being; a distinctive scent that he carries around with him naturally. Along with this, he rarely bathes or showers, but prefers to wash himself with coal tar soap and shampoo at the kitchen sink, permeating his skin with its unmistakable smell. This whole image, my father in his entirety, is distilled into this fragrance. For me, it’s both haunting and amiable, like the hugs he would give me that seemed to come from a man who didn’t quite know what a hug was, so would instead press you into his chest or into his shoulder. And there; that’s what this smell is. My eccentric father’s warmth. It almost brought me to tears.
Speaking in practical terms, I honestly don’t know how or where I would wear this. So uncanny is its nature, I know I couldn’t wear this in public without feeling uncomfortable. Perhaps in the quiet, lonely moments between moments. I doubt I will buy a full bottle, however this sample I will treasure for the length of time I have it. It retains its quiet aura-like presence, not quite as a skin scent but not far off, for quite a while. I don’t know what else to say.
Lika – :
Lampblack does what it sets out to do so well, that I dare call it perfect. I have absolutely no gripes with it’s execution. It is, by all means, the perfected version of a wearable inky facsimile fragrance. From the moment I smelled it, I knew I had to get a bottle. Lampblack is the poster child of niche done right. Anyone who dares to claim that niche fragrances are too gimmick heavy, or value concept over execution/wearability should be forcibly gifted a sample of Lampblack.
Boiling this fragrance into a note breakdown is a bit of a disservice. While my nose clearly makes out grapefruit, vetiver, quite a bit of pepper, and some other subtleties, it does not smell like a jumble of notes. Each is so expertly implemented that it jives into a beautiful perfectly bitter yet fresh woody ink aroma. Can’t really recommend it enough, totally deserving of the praise it receives. 9/10
ROBOPAC – :
Previous reviews are right, this isn’t, per se, anything terribly new or unique, I can think of at least half a dozen scents with very similar notes.
But for me it’s the most exact and evocative ink scent I’ve encountered – the precise smell of my art studio in college, a thing I hadn’t smelled in years. Wet india ink and thin textured sketch paper, a creaky old wooden easel with rusty hinges, charcoal you’ve accidentally wiped across your cheek, pencil shavings and those moldable rubber erasers, your nose pressed against the textbook, bitter linseed from oil paint and the plaster of someone else’s sculpture drying across the room but when you’re next to an open window and it’s late May and you can smell cut grass and hot tarmac and fresh air outside.
I love this. I can’t even be bothered to try to tear apart the notes because it’s such an intense memory scent for me that I don’t want to complicate it.
Plenty of CDG perfumes are similar and Andreea Maack’s “Coal” is very close and IMO a lot more wearable, but I love Lampblack so much more.
dackheell – :
There is nothing new in Lampblack. Then again newness is overrated in perfumery. ‘Unconventionality’ is code—camouflage for a lack of nuance and uninventive composition. Niche perfumery is the boy, novelty is the wolf.
Better than novelty, Lampblack has a point of view. Consideration and creativity are more valuable than gimmickry, and let’s call Lampblack what it is. It is a perfume that uses known materials and compositional tools. But it manipulates otherwise recognizable facets of the materials to offer a new perspective. It is a thoughtful piece of work.
Bruno Fazzolari is a visual artist who has chosen perfumery as another medium for the investigation of ideas. His crossover to perfumery disproves the axiom that the medium is the message. It also points out that artistry and technical training are not the same thing, a point that vocational schools such as Givaudan and ISIPCA may or may not recognize.
There is considerable buzz around Fazzolari’s perfumes, Lampblack in particular. The problem with buzz it that there’s always the next new thing to capture it. Fuck the buzz and forget the flavor of the month, but try Lampblack if you have the chance. It is remarkable not for the hype, but its thoughtfulness and exploration of ideas.
from scenthurdle.com
skachko80 – :
Bruno Fazzolari is part of the new breed of independent perfumers that are producing beautiful works uniting an artistic keen sense with a proper implementation and usability of their final products. Bruno is a painter and a person who has their its senses intertwined in a synesthetic way, so for him the colors and scents have intrinsic connections that despite existing are not so evident to us.
The perfume lampblack is related to this painting done by him and is an ode of the artist one of the most classic paint pigments, the black one obtained from the black soot of the burning lamps. In my view of his abstract painting, the light and its byproduct seem to blend into a concept that explores the dark tones, as if it was not absolutely from the point of view associated with smells and colors.
Lampblack is conceptual and at the same time very wearable. There is something in its scent in the output that is metallic, rubber, hot and oily, where the black nuances, referring to ink, from nargamota primarly create this effect. Vetiver contributes secondarily, mainly by rubber tone and the woody dark green side. I also realize pepper and its woody nuances touted contributing to enhance the effect of ink nargamota. Mixed them is the most bitter citrus smell, effervescent and slightly sweet grapefruit combined with sweet orange.
Interestingly, just as lampblack plays with light and darkness it also makes a duality between classicism and modernity, linearity and complexity. If you pay attention to its structure, it refers distantly to the elegant scent of classic Habit Rouge, especially the aroma of bergamot and vetiver. Still, ist vetiver as it the times passes shows the lighter, beautiful and more direct aura.The musk base with a hint of incense, the last thing to appear in the composition, seems very current and cozy. Almost all its nuances can be perceived right away, which to me gives it sometimes a linear impression, but as perfume the impression that I have is the same as when I appreciate a work of art: first I see the body of work and gradually my eyes are discovering, highlighting and understand the intrinsic elements to it. It is a beautiful scent!
sem11 – :
There’s a lot to love here. The most prominent individual notes are grapefruit and pepper, followed by ink, and they combine in fascinating ways. I get nuances of shoe polish and rubber and a slight nod to CdG Tar. I also get a note of celery about a half hour in…go figure. The only downside: there’s a certain sweaty quality and it gets stronger with time.
Колюнька – :
Such an addictive and effortlessly original fragrance.
To make it simple, I would classify Lampblack as a citrusy-vetiver with a twist. The green, sharp-ish salty vetiver shares some common facets with Miller Harris Fleurs De Sel as well as with that certain *je ne sais quoi* also found in other salty-wooody fragrances such as, say, Sel Marin or Sel De Vetiver. All of the above is paired with a remarkable clean-smoky facet that, at traces, brings to mind of some of the CDG’s *synthetics* a-la Tar or even Skai. There’s definitely a super modern vibe going on with Lampblack but it’s paired to something else more *classically* masculine. An aromatic citrusy woody quality that’s typical of old-school masculines.
There’s nothing to do, Lampblack has something completely nailed about it, something unique and effortlessly quirky that makes of it a big winner. Simple and simply delightful.
Tremendous.
Rating: 8.5/10
HeawnTrarma – :
On me this smells just like Enchanted Forest by The Vagabond Prince…just with better longevity and projection. No Black Currant in it according to the note breakdown but that’s what I get on my skin. A good fragrance if you like that hardcore black currant accord.
UsemoGesaleks – :
Well this fragrance caught me a little off guard but in a such a good way. This Smokey vetiver, citrus concoction has my immediate attention from the first spritz. I can see the CDG interpretations that come to mind in other reviewers thoughts but to me stands alone in it’s dark yet tame delivery.To gain a better understanding about what Bruno was trying to achieve in this unique offering I had to understand the title “Lampblack” which I was told represents the pigment of Indian Ink. I remember in my Grammar School days with pen,ink and blotting paper those odors immediately came to mind. But this masterpiece is so much more than that smell with it’s subtle nuances.
A relative newcomer to the fragrance industry I can see Bruno’s artistic talent in this genre by his devotion to detail and yes you can be one with the progression of notes weaving their way and encompassing you in a trance. I think with that in mind Luca Turin has become a fan of this presentation giving a more than a respectable 4 out of 5. A winner indeed.
This is one you will be enthralled to enjoy.
9/10
Aerohoplenerilbo – :
Lampblack fulfils it’s promise of light vs. dark in some style, it feels like a dark rubbery mutant solid heart surrounded by kaleidoscopic orbiting gasses and sparkling motes of light. As deadidol mentions it definitely has a CdG synthetic feel, but with some meat added to the bones, the vetiver and opening citric notes adding a natural comfort that only seems to further highlight the alien futuretech synths. The dark side also hides some delightful associations and surprises (more of that later). What’s remarkable is the fact that the sparkling thin gassy grapefruit accord maintains itself to the close, maintaining the light vs dark dance for the full duration, I’ve no idea what synthetic molecule achieves this but it works wonderfully here, it reminds me a little of nu_be Sulphur in this respect but applied in an even more successful way. CdG lovers I would be awfully surprised if you didn’t wet yourself over this.
Lampblack opens with a lifelike citrus grapefruit, with a little sparkle. Shortly after an accurate ink note joins and these two sides define the opening stage. The transition to the heart seems to strip back the grapefruit to a thinner more persistent synthy note, and the ink note morphs slightly, now exhibiting a light rubbery facet. The combination can come off a little sweaty, not a cumin BO sweat, but more the slightly sharp smell of sweat breaking through an anti-perspirant. There is also a de-rooted vetiver (ala VE) and some kind of musk that seems to add a compliant solidity to the heart underneath the swirling mid to high notes, this identifies a little like toasted circuit board lurking around. As Lampblack moves to the drydown the earlier accords remain in an attenuated state and a plumy berried note is added. The effect of this is to add a very slight nauseousness on the periphery that reminds me of the ghostlike form of cyborg wet dog. From there it looses the berry notes first, then the darkest rubber and fades to a close with grey vetiver and the radiant grapefruit synth sparkle. I know I’ve mentioned some odd concepts above but it’s what I’m feeling, but in no way does it come across in a nasty or skanky way, it’s more of a artificial digital fascimile of an organic impression. It isn’t a beast in strength or projection, but seems to have a pronounced radiance much in the spirit of Timbuktu, and longevity seems good at 8-10 hours.
4.5/5
Mixasik – :
What works so well in Lampblack is the interplay between notes. It’s a scent that juxtaposes several seemingly mismatched components, but the balance between them is such that new associations are formed and disbanded on the fly. Perched within its sooty frame is a romantic, almost classical flicker of light; but there’s an avant-garde, industrial aesthetic at work as well. Lampblack’s suspended between two worlds—a scent that’s versatile, evocative, and shape shifting as the context requires.
The scent opens with an abstraction: a bracing citrus against an un-harsh, dark inky note—a thick palate of flint grays and yellows that reminds me of Kinski’s opening but without the castoreum. Rich burgundies bloom from within the canvas in the form of spiced, smoky grass leading to a dirty, almost musky consequence. There’s a moment of leather, but it’s just a whisper. And in the same understated manner, the scent feels sooty and mineralic, but without either facet emerging as explicit notes. It’s entirely calming and profound.
Lampblack is tastefully restrained—it’s not a powerhouse, but isn’t ephemeral either. There’s an intimacy that’s largely cerebral—meditative, I’d say. The classical impression seems to come from a hairline powder (that I’m assuming to be benzoin), building a gentle foundation for the vetiver and nagarmotha that sits above. This arpeggiated series of notes seems to form the core of the ink effect—subtly charred with a slight fruity sweetness from the bitter citruses and what I’m misinterpreting as a faint floral of some kind. Although their connections are tenuous, this is the scent that Antoine Lie failed to render successfully in Puredistance Black—a sort of minimal, romantic ostentation. It’s delicate, yet is never precious; and it’s the evocation that makes it stand out the most. Lampblack’s the scent that you’d wear to see Wagner at Bayreuth, as well as being the scent you’d wear to the local bar. It really is both of these worlds.
The fragrance is a harmonious testament to earth and industry; more charming than one of Comme des Garcons’ infamous synthetics, yet more avant-garde than something from the past. Completely unique, yet comfortable, and entirely engrossing.
This is one of the best things I’ve smelled so far this year.