Das Gift (The Poison) is a dark and pensive 14-year project by Adrian James, the former violinist and designer of Evanescence. With 17 tracks, the debut is one-man-band James's magnum opus. Each song seamlessly flows into the next, moving through bilingual lyrics and piano instrumentals. Eclectic instruments range from electric mandocello to violin - a list as diverse as the time signatures culled from a background of jazz and orchestra. Defying classification, the music sits somewhere in the spaces between alternative, progressive and gothic genres. Das Gift draws comparisons with psychotropic acts like Tool, as well as Pink Floyd. James points to early Siouxsie and the Banshees and the Cure's "Pornography" album as inspiration for the pounding drums and pipe organ. But while it has dark aspects, the CD is still rendered approachable by smooth vocals and touching ballads. Review Excerpts: GOTHIC BEAUTY, Oregon One of the better albums I have heard in some time now, and that is no exaggeration...WELL worth the wait. Das Gift features rich and meticulously arranged layers of sounds ranging from acoustic, electric, synthesized and exotic, coupled with smooth vocals...these are certainly the most earnest and articulate lyrics of what I've seen lately. Highly recommended. - Jessika MALICE RADIO, Pennsylvania The Next Pink Floyd…I was transfixed through the entire album…It was at some point in [I’ll Never Leave] that I started to cry. MORBIDOUTLOOK.COM, New York AJ’s vocal delivery can be very emotionally penetrating. Only a really anthracite soul would fail to be touched…by this heart-wrenching material. GOTHTRONIC, Netherlands "The instrumentation on this album is rich, and varies from piano to guitar, violin and bass....The cover artwork is wonderful." DJ INFAM0US of REGEN MAGAZINE, Arkansas Brings back the roots of Goth with a cathedral rock feel, dark poetic lyrics with a very personal feel, and well-pronounced down tempo beats. TOM WOOD of MAGIC 105 FM, Arkansas "Das Gift" stands out among the new music I've heard this year because of the strangely appealing combination of layered heaviness and strong melodies that float above the atmosphere that is created. SYNC MAGAZINE, Arkansas Das Gift fights against a watered-down music industry...the mundane music that populates the FM dial. - Shea Stewart GRAVE CONCERNS, New York Melancholy and emotive...like a darker, goth-tinged version of early Peter Gabriel, progressive but catchy enough to attract a broad range of fans. - Matthew Johnson