While it begs the question about how long it took for this pair of closely related, northern bands to be placed on a single album, rest assured that, in a messy field of compilations, regurgitations and rebirths, there will be none as much welcomed as this one. ‘Total’ is a usefully chronological record of two of the UK’s most important groups of the past thirty-odd years. Both products of the inimitable Factory Records label, the main progenitors of which, sadly, no longer exist, Joy Division grew out of the post-punk era and established the parameters for a raft of replicate performers. While the death of Ian Curtis, the band’s original singer, was a terrible occurrence, although it took some time, New Order grew from JD’s ashes. Inevitably, the latter group’s productivity was somewhat more prolific than the original’s had been.

It is thanks to the mastery of Frank Arkwright, for creating the album, Peter Saville, the former art director of Factory Records, for the cover artwork, and Rhino Records that ‘Total’ exists. Yet, there are millions of fans, whose continued fascination with both groups have kept alive the brooding mystery of the earlier recordings, allied to the near timelessness of the later electronica.

It is the ridiculously brief snapshot of Joy Division’s career that highlights its remarkable influence on the next few generations of music, which is not restricted to its former Mancunian roots. Plenty of newer groups have tried to emulate its brooding darkness, although very few have ever succeeded, a factor that underscores the outstanding originality of Joy Division and its apparent inability to handle the success.

Yet, the New Order sound, fronted by Bernard Sumner, supported by the inimitable Peter ‘Hooky’ Hook, took that music and regenerated it, with a run of outstanding hits and even dance records that rejuvenated the entire Northern Soul ethos, even though it was based in a more adventurous style. Still capable of grabbing the attention of new fans, this album will maintain the momentum started over thirty years ago, with tracks like ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ and ‘Blue Monday’, which remains the biggest selling dance 12-inch of all time. Just to whet the appetite, there is even a previously unreleased New Order single, ‘Hellbent’, which might encourage the band out of its self-imposed ‘retirement’. This is a stunning album, possessing high production standards, to keep the myth alive.