Rough Edge: Various Artists - Icons of the Underground: Volume 1

VARIOUS ARTISTS

"Icons of the Underground: Volume 1 - Glenn Danzig (Hedonism Records; 2006)

Tribute albums are a dime a dozen these days. Good ones are a little harder to come by. Great ones, like "Icons of the Underground: Volume 1 - Glenn Danzig" are a rarity.

There are 23 tracks on this CD, and not a dud in the bunch. In fact, many of them are actually better recordings than the original Danzig tracks. Each band manages to capture the haunting, menacing atmosphere that Danzig created so well and yet each band also manages to infuse their chosen song with a new energy and vitality that some of the original Danzig tracks may not have had. (Of course, some of that may have to do with modern recording techniques and today's higher production values.)

As I mentioned above, there isn't a dud to be found here; however, a few tracks really do stand out. Dead Rites delivers a killer version of "Anything," Capital Scum gives "We Bite" a grinding, punk edge and The Crimson Ghosts turn "Archangel" into a bizarre surf guitar ditty. Pretty cool.

I would think that fans of Danzig's work would truly enjoy this CD as the bands hereon are consciously respectful of the original recordings' sound. The fact that Hedonism Records founder Radu is a huge Danzig disciple pretty much confirms that. And I think that those only vaguely familiar with Danzig's work through the years would also find this CD engaging, due to the excellent performances captured here.

For more information, check out www.hedonismrecords.com.

Tracklisting follows:
Vargotah- Dirty Black Summer
Devil Bats- In the Doorway
The Shift- Devil's Plaything
Villnave- Cold Eternal
Dead Rites- Anything
Doomtree- Who Killed Marilyn?
Devilman- It's coming Down
Dark Eden- Possession
Capital Scum- We Bite
Legendary Hot Death- Brand New God
Wolf Moon Sky- Hollywood Babylon
Left Hand Black- Left Hand Black
Others- Thirteen
Peter Thorn- Halloween
Serpentine 78- She
Everdead- November’s Fire
The Gemini Plan- American Nightmare
Zombeast- To walk the night
Fango- Me convierto en Marciano (I turned into a martian)
Venutti's Space Zomibies- Horror Hotel/Ghouls Night Out
Johnny Morbid- Hybrid Moments
The Crimson Ghosts- Archangel
Sam Scumaci- Deep

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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