Various Artists
Beauty in Darkness Vol. 2

Before falling into the oblivion of productions too oriented towards Power and Black Metal, the German record label "Nuclear Blast" managed to pull out of the hat a long series of compilations, if I remember well, at least seven, which had Gothic-Doom as their common denominator.

"Beauty is in the darkness": a title that is already a clear declaration of intent; this is the second volume released in 1997. For me, the best given the excellent artistic quality of most of the bands involved; and indeed, the nocturnal tracklist says much more than a thousand useless words.

Evereve, Therion, Theatre of Tragedy, Crematory, Lacrimosa, My Dying Bride: important names that have made the history of a musical genre. For a series of songs with an arcane flavor, with a slow, caressing pace, that envelop you in cold, deadly coils.

The only exceptions are represented by Peter Tagtgren's Pain (better known for his devastating involvement in Hypocrisy) with a pounding, synthetic Death-Techno sound; and Dimmu Borgir who bury you with their Symphonic Black Metal.

A necessary mention for the Swiss Alastis, one of the best bands in the Gothic-Doom genre, at least for the writer, but almost completely ignored. And their dramatic, epic track titled "In Darkness" does nothing but fittingly close this imposing collection.

For all those who love these dark musical plots... Love is Dead...