I agree with you, I have the same experience. She is a thorny monster, very irregular and ungainly, grows in all directions. I can’t detect much of a scent (she’s supposed to be of the Parfuma series). But she keeps blooming in our 100F weather (North Texas) like no other. The blooms are not huge but she keeps going. I may need to replant her somewhere else because she is just getting too big even though I prune her severely.

I will add to this by pointing out that in my Zone 5b (Chicagoland) garden the bloom petals burn so easily. I am having trouble seeing the redeeming qualities of this rose. It's growing well and yes, awkwardly, and blooming well. Only a mild fragrance for me thus far. But Dark Desire's blooms may be the most unattractive of all my 200 bushes. I should shovel prune it as it's occupying valuable garden real estate in a prime location but I'll give it until next summer to see if it improves.

It's curious the lack of smell. I've smelt it as a few nurseries (I've never bought it) and it's always smelt strongly of potpourri with kind of dusty/soapy tones.