The highlights for me on this beautiful compilation for the most part are the neo-classical selections. La Vuibre, Stoa, Lycia, and Love Is Colder Than Death are simply fabulous.

I also appreciate the extra aspect that many of the selections are unavailable elsewhere, adding to the specialness.

There are a couple of odd tracks, in my view, namely the dreadful Switchblade Symphony track, which lowers the tone after the majestic heights reached by Lycia immediatly previous. The other would be the closing track, which, though interesting in it's own way, is a puzzling addition, that seems rather out of place in this company, and which I imagine many Goths would find rather irritating.

This is though, a great collection for fans of the ethereal, wispy end of the Gothic universe. We could do with Projekt putting out a second collection along the same lines.

The most recommended track in the album is 'Divine' by Mira in which you are in a state of dream, a reflection of life. Peaceful, it pulls you out of depression with hope in the near end. Faith and Disease is another band I like very much under the 'Projekt' label. 'Stray', an un-released title before, while folkish, pulls you back into good old memories. This is not a best track by Faith and Disease so check out their other albums. Black Tape for a Blue Girl, the fronted band under the label as the label's owner plays in the band, has a better than usual 'Overwhelmed, beneath me'. The band is not my favorite ( because I find their music is sometimes too monotonous), but this song changed my impression.

'It Swallows me Whole' by Rosewater Elizabeth single-handedly push the album to its high tides. No one can spare his sweat when Rosewater's phantom voice swirls around you, singing 'I can't see light'. Others like Stoa, Love is Colder than Death and Lycia are also featured in the album and the singles selected are fair enough to pay the price again even if you have bought their album before.

Overall, this album is a great introduction to what the label stands for. For others who have been following the bands, this is also a good experience to refresh in an hour of delicate collection.

It is very rare to find a compilation to complete, in the sense that, of the thirteen tracks featured, there is not one I skip - all songs lead from one into the other very nicely. In a very succinct way it shows the diversity of sound to be found within the genre of darkwave.

We are carried from the eponymously named opening track from French act, Rajna - though nothing like Dead Can Dance in sound - their style is perhaps reminiscent of through the use of instruments such as the yang t'chin, as popularised by DCD.

The following songs are very much in the ethereal/heavenly voices vein, with a classic Love Is Colder Than Death song and La Vuibre's "Tyriel". Stoa's "Maare Illuscend" is their first new song in years, which is a good reason in itself to buy the album!

The swirling shoegazing guitars and vocals of Mira's track "Divine" (another exclusive song for this album), sets the scene for the middle of the album with tracks from Faith & Disease, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, Lycia, Rosewater Elizabeth and Switchblade Symphony.

The album ends with Frolic, Amber Asylum and Carl Stone, who slow down the pace with quiet atmospheric ambience and put us all off to sleep. . .

The best thing about this CD, other than being a brilliant compilation and with exquisite artwork (as always with Projekt), is that it prompted me to purchase the albums of a number of these artists over which I had hesitated previously.

My advice? - Buy immediately!!