Gothic ambient. 40th anniversary 2CD edition of 300. With bonus tracks. #169 on UNCUT MAGAZINE Feb'25 200 Greatest Goth Albums.

Genre: Gothic, Ethereal Wave, Ambient
RIYL: This Mortal Coil, Peter Murphy, Brian Eno, Chris & Cosey

• 2CD in 6-panel digipak w/4-panel photo insert and sticker
• Limited edition of 300
• 2026 is the 40th anniversary of their debut
• Projekt releases deluxe 2LP and 2CD editions

Sam's subtle electronics and introspective lyrics establish Blacktape's stature beyond the realm of the traditional 'gothic' sound, creating a timeless blend of Oscar's emotional vocals intertwined with warm ambient soundscapes.

CD1 : Original mix remastered
CD2 : 2026 mix by Rosenthal

Star Hits Magazine (1986): 'The Rope is like the musical equivalent of a nervous breakdown. Complete with dark, scary lyrics that make The Smiths sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks, this might give you an idea of what mental anguish sounds like. It is an experiment worth hearing.'

Their darkly mesmerizing debut's appearance on the underground rock scene kicked off a rich and diverse musical career for Projekt founder and Blacktape songwriter Sam Rosenthal. Twenty-year-old Rosenthal's electronics and angst-filled, introspective lyrics overflow with the emptiness of a shattered soul and broken heart revealing a dark, tortured youth scanning the wreckage in search of love, understanding, and connection. Oscar's passionate vocals intertwining with the warm electronic soundscapes and soothing ambient passages was compared to 80's releases on 4AD and Factory Records.

February 2025, Uncut Magazine's Ultimate Record Collection: 200 Greatest Goth Albums: 'The Rope #169. The electronic songwriting of Projekt Records' founder Sam Rosenthal, brought to life by singer Oscar Herrera's arch delivery. BTFABG spun a unique thread of ambient darkwave, neoclassical exoticism and dark cabaret on their relatively bare-boned and lo-fi debut album.'

Track Listing

Disc 1:

• memory, uncaring friend (2026 remaster)
• hide in yourself (2026 remaster)
• within these walls (2026 remaster)
• the holy terrors (2026 remaster)
• end (2026 remaster)
• seven days til sunrise (2026 remaster)
• the rope (2026 remaster)
• the few remaining threads (2026 remaster)
• the lingering flicker (2026 remaster)
• slow blur (2026 remaster)
• the floor was hard but home (2026 remaster)
• we return (2026 remaster)
• BONUS TRACKS: the lingering flicker (first draft)
• within these walls (early mix with clarinet)
• the holy terrors (long)
• second dream
• the lingering flicker (violins isolated)
• within these walls (short with violins)
• memory, uncaring friend (remix intro)

Disc 2:

• memory, uncaring friend (2026 mix)
• hide in yourself (2026 mix)
• within these walls (2026 mix)
• the holy terrors (2026 mix)
• end (2026 mix)
• seven days til sunrise (2026 mix)
• the rope (2026 mix)
• the few remaining threads (2026 mix)
• the lingering flicker (2026 mix)
• slow blur (2026 mix)
• the floor was hard but home (2026 mix)
• we return (2026 mix)
• BONUS TRACKS: the lingering flicker (first draft)
• within these walls (early mix with clarinet)
• the holy terrors (long)
• second dream
• the lingering flicker (violins isolated)
• within these walls (short with violins)
• memory, uncaring friend (remix intro)

Additional Details

Label: Projekt

Genre: Gothic

Language: English

Run Time: 132 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 11/06/26

UPC: 617026002033