We Shall Be Monsters
If you want to step away from traditional clean florals, this indie creation offers an unconventional mix of wet soil and cold iron. Bitter almond and black licorice provide a subtle, herbal sweetness that keeps the blend from feeling too harsh. It performs best in cold, damp weather, wrapping the wearer in a personal cocoon of dark green galbanum. This unisex oil is perfect for casual winter wear, quiet library sessions, or gothic aesthetic styling, serving as an ideal sampling candidate for adventurous fragrance collectors.
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Performance Metrics
17 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Lasts on the skin for six to eight hours with intimate projection. It stays within arm's length, making it ideal for cool, damp weather where it clings well to skin chemistry.
Notes Pyramid
Search these notesChoose where each note belongs.
A cold, mineral scent featuring damp graveyard dirt, bitter almond, and black licorice. The texture is dry and slightly powdery, with a sharp green edge of galbanum running through the core.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe earthy and metallic accords dominate, creating a cold, wet clay sensation on the skin. The green and soft spicy accords emerge later, preventing the mineral notes from feeling too harsh or industrial.
Community Data
29 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in winter and spring. The vote picture leans most toward night.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Delivers a highly realistic wet soil note
Cold metallic notes feel unique and modern
Stays close to the skin without overwhelming rooms
Perfect for gloomy, rainy autumn afternoons
Unisex profile suits diverse personal styles
Does not turn cloying or overly sweet on skin
Green bite of galbanum adds a sharp aromatic freshness
Conceptual notes of forbidden manuscripts appeal to niche lovers
Impressive longevity ratings with reported eternal wear on skin
Stands out as a cozy winter nighttime choice
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Opening metallic notes can smell too harsh
Almond and licorice notes are very faint
Polarizing profile is unsafe for blind buying
Lacks the projection that database users expect
Poor fit for hot summer days or formal events
Can smell medicinal to untrained noses
Bitter almond and licorice notes fail to emerge for some wearers
Gothic olfactory theme makes it poorly suited for casual daytime wear
Community ratings show a higher proportion of dislikes than likes
Sillage stays soft to moderate rather than filling a room
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Poesie We Shall Be Monsters Review: A Cold Grave in a Bottle”
The scent opens with a cold rush of damp earth and metallic notes, resembling wet keys dropped in fresh mud. It feels instantly chilling, lacking any bright citrus or clean aldehydes to soften the initial impact on skin. Within minutes, the green bite of galbanum cuts through the soil, giving the opening a sharp, weed-like edge.
As the perfume settles into the skin, the bitter almond and black licorice notes emerge to provide a subtle base. They do not turn sweet or gourmand. Instead, they act like old, dusty wood, anchoring the metallic notes so they do not feel too chemical. The scent profile remains dry, avoiding any syrupy weight.
On the skin, the metallic notes eventually turn powdery, mixing with the earthy notes to create a skin-close mineral hum. It is a quiet scent that does not develop much after the first hour. It simply sits there, smelling like a cold, wet garden after the sun goes down.
The performance is moderate, lasting around seven hours on warm skin. Sillage is minimal, keeping the scent close to the body, which is a relief given how unusual the notes are. It wears best in damp, chilly autumn weather when you want a fragrance that matches the gray sky.
This is not a crowd-pleaser or a scent for job interviews. It is designed for gothic enthusiasts, writers, and indie fans who want to smell like an atmosphere rather than a clean shampoo. It is a personal retreat in a bottle, best appreciated during quiet hours.
Ultimately, this is a successful atmospheric art piece that requires the right mindset. Skip it if you dislike anise or soil notes. Buy a sample if you want a true, cold dirt scent that manages to stay wearable without turning into a sweet mess.
FAQs
What are the main scent notes in We Shall Be Monsters?+
This perfume features a unique blend of bitter almond, dark black licorice, and green galbanum. These elements are laid over a distinct base of wet graveyard dirt and cool metallic notes, creating a dark, earthy, and mineral-heavy profile.
How does the fragrance change from the opening to the dry-down?+
The opening is highly metallic and cold, smelling strongly of wet clay and iron. During the dry-down, the green bite of galbanum emerges, accompanied by a faint, woodier sweetness from the black licorice and almond notes.
How long does We Shall Be Monsters last on skin?+
You can expect this perfume oil to linger for about six to eight hours. Because it has an oil base, it clings closely to the skin, maintaining a consistent presence without evaporating rapidly in dry weather.
What is the sillage and projection of this fragrance?+
The sillage is intimate, staying within an arm's length. It creates a personal scent bubble rather than filling a room, making it safe for quiet indoor spaces where loud perfumes might overwhelm others.
Which season and weather are best suited for this scent?+
This fragrance shines during chilly autumn days and rainy weather. The cold, wet atmosphere of a gloomy afternoon matches the damp earth and metallic notes, enhancing its gothic, atmospheric character.
For what occasions should someone wear this perfume?+
It is best reserved for casual, solitary activities like reading at home, visiting a museum, or walking in a park on a grey day. It lacks the sweetness required for formal parties or office settings.
Does this fragrance lean masculine, feminine, or unisex?+
It is entirely unisex. The scent relies on mineral metal and damp soil rather than traditional floral or heavy wood accords, appealing to anyone who appreciates dark, atmospheric scent profiles.
Who is the ideal target audience for this perfume?+
It suits gothic enthusiasts, indie fragrance collectors, and anyone tired of mainstream sweet scents. If you enjoy smelling like wet gardens or old paper rather than fresh fruit, this fits your style.
Can We Shall Be Monsters be layered with other fragrances?+
Yes, it layers well under simple vanilla or sweet amber scents. Adding a sweet base helps soften the harsh metallic edge and rounds out the bitter almond note for a more wearable daily experience.
Are there any close dupes or similar alternatives to this scent?+
It is hard to match, but it shares the damp soil vibe of Demeter Dirt, while lacking Demeter's simplicity. The metallic element resembles BPAL's industrial scents, though Poesie keeps the blend softer.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCORENo dupes submitted yet. The first useful DupeScore can come from your community.
Demeter Dirt offers a simpler soil note, while Etat Libre d'Orange's Hermann provides a similar cold, metallic dampness.
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