Various Artists — The Lotus Eaters: A Tribute To Dead Can Dance

The first rumours about this release I heard were those concerning Ulver's participation which seemed quite interesting, hearing the label which was going to release it made me worry a bit. Within the current gothic metal scene Dead Can Dance have quite a rep, but although I like the honoured, aforementioned scene honouring it didn't seem my cup of tea.

More and more names seeped through and the balance seemed to become 50/50. Anathema, Jarboe, The Gathering and the most surprising one: Danny Lilker (The Ravenous, Nuclear Assault, ex-Anthrax and ex-Brutal Truth) tickled my interest. On the other hand Trail of Tears and Imperia didn't at all. So I expected a hit-or-miss affair.

So here it is, the finished project and I have to admit: it's better than I expected. Even the 'suspicious' acts sometimes don't do bad at all, although you can also give part of that credit to the Dead Can Dance themselves. Most of their songs aren't easy to destroy. There aren't many huge reconstructions, but of course the metalbands like Nightfall and Trail Of Tears inject the music with heavy guitars and doublebass but nowhere it becomes too cheesy. Danny Lilker's version of Ataraxia didn't get an S.O.D. treatment like a Ballad Of Dead Can Dance but gets a respectful rendition. Ulver's interpretation of In The Kingdom Of The Blind The One-Eyed Are King could easily fit on their last Quick Fix Of Melancholy EP. Dutch pride and glory The Gathering contribute their old B-side In Power We Entrust The Love Advocated and Anathema's Danny Cavanagh gives a tender and sensitive How Fortunate The Man With None (and not Spirit like the sleeve erroneously states).

So there you go: my skepticism was not deserved and allthough not all songs are equally good this release stays well on the good side. I already mentioned the mistake on the sleeve about Cavanagh's song but that's not the only one, there are quite a few in there actually. I noticed a Lamps To The Slaughter on a Thanatos slipcase too, also released by Black Lotus, so I suggest they put some more effort in proofreading. Such a shame because otherwise it looks fine.