Excelsis

December 14 - 21 , 1 9 9 5

**1/2 Various Artists

EXCELSIS: A DARK NOËL

(Projekt)

Various luminaries of goth, including Lycia, Eva O., and This Ascension, cover traditional holiday fare in this 15-track compilation. Love Spirals Downward apply a Cocteau Twins-like sound to "Welcome Christmas" with Suzanne Perry's angelic vocals. Autopsia's "Still Nacht" features ghostly winds and ominous sounds lurking beneath a pretty German chorus of "Silent Night." Lovesliescrushing's "Jingle Bells (Snowblower)" is full of gritty guitar noise that completely masks the original melody. Faith & the Muse lend their Renaissance rendition of "A Winter Wassail." And led by an eerie group of singers, Black Tape for a Blue Girl's "Chanukkah O Chanukkah" brims with dark gothic overtones.

For balance, there are a few more-traditional renditions, such as "O Come All Ye Faithful." This is the perfect Xmas album to play for friends and family to make the holiday just a wee bit weird. (Order from Projekt Records, Box 146636, Chicago, Illinois 60614.)

-- Bryan Reesman