What began as a solo studio project by Adrian James – known from his work as designer and violinist of Evanescence – has blossomed into a vibrant live act called "Das Gift." Defying classification, the music sits somewhere in the spaces between alternative, progressive and Darkwave genres, drawing comparisons with psychotropic acts like Tool, as well as Pink Floyd.

The pensive debut CD, Das Gift (German for 'The Poison'), is an elaborate 14-year endeavor with bilingual lyrics, odd meters, and eclectic instrumentation – from piano to electric mandocello and violin. James points to early albums by Siouxsie and the Banshees and the Cure's as inspiration for the pounding tribal drums and pipe organ. Smooth vocal melodies and touching piano ballads are woven through the symphonic album.
Alternating between guitar, bass, keyboard and even drums, James maintains his trademark emotional vocal delivery for the band's live shows. Also rotating instruments during on stage, Robert Dickey performs on bass, lead guitar and backing vocals. Taran Ware completes the band's current live lineup on drums.
With a growing international following – especially in the regional Darkwave and Steampunk communities – the band is based in Little Rock, Arkansas, and available for booking with a 1.5 hour set. The show usually features interpretations of the band's musical influences , including the songs of The Cure , Pink Floyd , Radiohead , Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode .

Visit the official site at dasgift.com and support independent music by purchasing a CD or t-shirt. The album is also available through our friends at Projekt.com and CDBaby.com – or to download at Digstation .
Das Gift Electronic Press Kit (EPK) at OurStage.com
Follow Das Gift on Twitter.com

CD REVIEWS

VIRUS! MAGAZINE, Germany
Triply more interesting than [Evanescence]…”Das Gift” offers something surprisingly different. More sonically akin to the work of dark psychotropic acts like Tool, James’ creations are neither pop nor metal, but instead something abstract and melodic, cinematic and diverse… James’ voice seeps in like a velvet wind… Das Gift surpassed all of my expectations…James’ work here is quite captivating.
GOTHIC BEAUTY, USA
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.
LOCALISTMAGAZINE.COM, Arkansas
If Peter Gabriel joined A Perfect Circle, the resulting sound would probably resemble Das Gift…Listening to this layered, remarkably realized vision, you wouldn’t suspect it to be the brainchild of just one person…sounds more like a symphony in several movements than a collection of individual songs…The trap of darker genres of music, be they goth, progressive metal or even grindcore, is that their predilection for melodrama renders them inaccessible to folks who don’t participate in the genre’s trappings. Das Gift, by contrast, sneaks up on you and ingratiates itself in an almost Toad the Wet Sprocket fashion. It’s downright earnest…Perhaps the key is James’s voice. - Colter McCorkindale
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.
TEARWAVE, New York
Das Gift is fantastic...The vocal mood seems (real) very true and from the heart. The style is hard to pigeon hole exactly so I think from an artistic point of view that is great...You have some nice cross over styles going on from a darker wave to even a bit neo-apocalyptical at times. Love it! - Doug White
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.
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
TOM WOOD of TOM 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
Soul-searching: Highly-developed woven tapestry of black velvet and metal ribbon. The vocals and lyrics are haunting,longing, bitter-sweet and fragile. As an old Goth, I truly respect the creative dramatic vision of this compilation. - Lisa
AMERICAN GOTHIQUE, Alaska
"Das Gift is a blessing. Just an amazing journey of sound that reaches in and makes you feel invited to the Emotional Soul… a great composition of sound, musical structure, and lyrics worthy of a Triple Platinum. It's become my wife's Number One CD."

CONCERT FEEDBACK

The first night featured Das Gift who I will remember for doing a very nice rendition of The Cure's "Sinking" during their set (great song from a great album). - The Vernian Process , CA
The show was awesome. I liked the covers they did, and I loved the originals enough to buy a CD. I'm really impressed with the music...I desperately want to see them play again. For several years I really hated live shows, so this is rare for me. - Bonnie
Adrian's voice is actually very gentle and beautiful, and sounds just as amazing live as on CD.
I've been to a lot of battles in my day and most were forgettable, but not this one... Das Gift took the stage and boldly played a Pink Floyd song damn near as well as Pink Floyd plays it. When that song ended, my friend and I were high-fiving, yelling "Hell Yeah!" and dying for more. It only got better. Needless to say, we were blown away at how talented Das Gift is. Your set was spectacular!...you guys have something special. Please keep up the good work. I will be glad to recommend you to all of my friends and look forward to purchasing your CD.
Das Gift rocked last night! If you haven't checked out a band called "Das Gift" you really should. They played at Vino's last night and man I loved it. The lead singer Adrian has a great voice...

VISITOR COMMENTS

Dark, a little creepy, and sexy. I am more taken aback by your talent everytime I listen to it.
"Beautiful Womyn" is nothing short of amazing.
I have absolutely nothing negative to say. It all seems to flow really well. Very soothing and probably not as depressing as you think it is. It works well as background music, but stands alone as true art.
A very nice collection of work – so are you doing all the music yourself? …really very impressive. I love the German.
WOW! I am quite amazed by the Adrian James "One-Man-Band"! You are so remarkably talented. I think I pretty well have it memorized by now. I've certainly listened to it enough! I'm a stickler for real strings! You have an INCREDIBLY sexy voice!
I had forgotten how great your stuff was. Lyrically you are clever, and I like that...My favorite song is Et Tu.
It's one of those albums I could see having to listen to from 1-17 though, don't think I would want to jump from track to track.
I was very impressed with the songs. They are moody, textural and melodic in a way that I would not have expected. I would gladly plunk down $15...
I think Perfect Song would be a perfect single...It is one of those songs that sticks in your head almost from the first listen. Also Mutability is beautiful. After listening to your songs, I see that your album art really does a good job of capturing the sound and feeling of your music.
You have succeeded in originality.