The First Pain to Linger is an angst-laden CD from Black Tape for a Blue Girl.

Sam Rosenthal collected these compositions and performances to accompany his book of the same title.

(The book is also dark and depressing but I am not a literary reviewer so I will leave that alone.) This disc contains five pieces from an assortment of compilation CD's and two new pieces.

Black Tape is known primarily as a gothic rock ensemble and these tracks fit that style.

They also fit quite securely in the dark ambient realm.

Rosenthal, also the founder and owner of Projekt Records, has created massive satanic atmospheres with his electronics and processing techniques.

Oscar Herrara's guitar is lost in the ordeal.

The vocals -- by Rosenthal, Herrara and Lucian Casselman -- are deep, often wordless and always ethereal.

This is essential dark ambience.

It will appeal to fans of Lustmord, True Color of Blood and Rapoon.