Like Black Holes in the Sky: The Tribute to Syd Barrett (CD - 2008)

Personnel: Janne Westerlund (vocals, guitar, banjo, percussion); Ryan Lipynsky, Aaron Gregory, Bobby Liebling, Yanni Papadopoulos (vocals, guitar); Gavin Hayes (vocals, slide guitar); Jackie Perez Gratz (vocals, cello); Bruce Lamont (vocals, saxophone); Jarboe (vocals); Laura Pleasants, Mark Engles, Mick Mullin, Nic LeBan, Phillip Cope (guitar); Gary Isom (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums); Drew Roulette (keyboards, programming); Alex Crow (keyboards); Sanford Parker (synthesizer); Carl McGinley (drums, percussion); James Staffel, Chandler Rentz, Drew Juergens, Darren Verni, Michel Langevin (drums).

Audio Mixers: Mick Mullin; Gary Isom; Steve Roach; Bobby Liebling.

Recording information: Avalanche, England; Brooklyn, NY; Permanent Hearing Loss; Semaphore, Chicago, IL; Super 8 Studios.

Authors: Bruce Lamont; Janne Westerlund; Laura Pleasants; Mark Engles; Mick Mullin; Ryan Lipynsky; Aaron Gregory; Jarboe; Justin Broadrick; Bobby Liebling; Michel Langevin.

Illustrator: Michel Langevin.

Dwell Records specializes in the nexus point where grunge, noise, psychedelia, and, most importantly, metal meet. Fitting then that they would release this tribute comp to Syd Barrett, the madcap wonder boy who in the late '60s had a hand in inspiring all those genres. The collection features artists who run the metal gamut. Stoner legends Pentagram deliver a dynamic "Flaming" while trance-metallers Jesu drive "Chapter 24" deeper into the cosmos than Pink Floyd ever did. Prog-metal kings Yakuza tackle "Lucifer Sam" while noisy underground dwellers Stinking Lizavetta lay a guitar-heavy "Matilda Mother." Some versions are better than others, but taken as a whole LIKE BLACK HOLES IN THE SKY proves the modern reach of Barrett's vision and the breadth of his songwriting. minimize