Projekt is a label I'm always keen to hear new stuff from; they put out a consistently impressive stream of releases which continue to show that music can exist that is dark without having to resort to 80s goth cliches. For those new to Projekt, this CD is an inexpensive way to find out what they currently have to offer. It also shows the sheer variety of music that falls under categorisations such as 'gothic' and 'darkwave' - far more than may be expected. There's the highly creative electronic rock of Android Lust; Voltaire provides an entertaining mix of vaudeville and Eastern European folk music with tongue in cheek lyrics (the title Cannibal Buffet says it all); the less-than-serious mood continues on Black Tape for a Blue Girl's Knock Three Times, a song which aims its ironic humour in the direction of goth stereotypes; Unto Ashes appear here with In Memory of D'Drennan, which creatively combines gothic rock with hints of industrial music and very beautiful atmospheric choral female vocals; Autumn's Grey Solace have a dark take on dreampop, which is pure atmospheric beauty; Mira also make dreampop with a sophisticated atmosphere, not quite as dark as Autumn's Grey Solace; Dark Sanctuary make grandiose atmospheric music with classical/operatic influences; Steve Roach makes floaty, spacey, mood altering ambient music; and Fear Falls Burning have a sinister-sounding instrumental track which combines harsh guitar noise with ambient drones.

An impressive display of eclecticism is on display on this sampling of the artists that grace Projekt's roster. This is a label whose very soul thrives on living on the fringe, and creatively so. The music from the label is intelligent and often compelling. If you want to find out the dark corners goth (broadly speaking) can truly occupy, look no further. You may think you're goth, but you're not - this is.

Hallowed darkwave label Projekt will take you on a journey with such artists as Voltaire with its Eurofolk-tinged, darkly funny excursion, "Cannibal Buffet," or the angst-ridden and lushly textured electro-industrial of Android Lust. "In Memory of D'Drennan" by Unto Ashes is a gorgeous piece of what could almost be called minimalist industrial metal chillout goth. Really. Black Tape for a Blue Girl almost seems to be suicidally smirky on "Knock Three Times." Autumn's Grey Solace is nothing short of haunting and Mira is soft, moody and hypnotic. Dark Sanctuary's "Presence" has the grace and, forgive me, presence, of classical music (though, of course, it's not classical music, but it has the majesty) and is weepingly beautiful. You will swim in the dark, experimental ambience of a piece of Steve Roach's "Immersion." And Fear Falls Burning concludes the proceedings with an even grimmer slab of enveloping ominousity (not a word? who cares). Four stars.