The Black Bible
Various Artists
Cleopatra
The dictionary offers an alternate definition of the word Bible as “A book considered authoritative in its field.” Such a definition will serve to represent this divergent collection of dark wave music compiled by the experts at Cleopatra Records. Spanning four discs, The Black Bible takes a giant step beyond the label’s previous definitive collection, The Goth Box, gathering gems of gothic, industrial, ethereal, and experimental music from every corner of the globe. Outside of a few genre standards by the likes of Bauhaus (“In the Flat Field”) and Ministry (“Every Day is Halloween”), the majority of these 66 tracks are rare, remixes, or songs previously unavailable on CD.
Each of the four discs encompasses a specific passage or chapter in the chronology of this complex musical genre. For example, Disc One, dubbed “The Old Testament,” covers early ground with better-known groups like Gene Loves Jezebel, Die Krupps, Legendary Pink Dots, Gary Numan, and Specimen. The musical journey culminates on Disc Four (“The Apocrypha”) with two recorded interviews, one with Siouxsie Sioux, the other with Robert Smith: two members of what, with the inclusion of Bauhaus’ Peter Murphy, is surely considered to be the Holy Trinity of Goth Rock. Add the accompanying comprehensive liner notes written by Spahn Ranch frontman, Athan Maroulis (there are pictures of all participating bands plus background notes and where-are-they-now updates), and The Black Bible becomes the new gospel for disciples of dark music. Amen. Cleopatra Records, 13428 Maxella #251, Marina Del Rey , CA 90292
