VARIOUS ARTISTS
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Century Media have once again put out a quality product at an unbelievably low price. As
compilation CDs go, you can't get much better than this. Century Media have a roster that
has power metal (Iced Earth), hardcore (Turmoil), death (Cryptopsy), melodic
European metal (The Gathering), and black metal (Old Man's Child) as well as other styles
of metal. The CD is also a virtual trip around the globe as the bands represented here are
from the United States, Canada, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Holland, Norway, and
Brazil.
The best tracks on this compilation are from Lacuna Coil, Theatre Of Tragedy, Angra, and
Opeth. I continue to be enchanted by the soaring and sweet melodic voice of Lacuna Coil's
Cristina; over the soaring and crushing music of this Italian band, Cristina continues to
impress.
Theatre Of Tragedy's "Lorelei" is more gothic than
death and balances keyboards and guitars, male and female vocals, and drama in an engaging
fashion. Angra's "Mystery Machine" should appeal to fans of progressive rock as
it contains stellar guitar and keyboard interplay as well as astonishing guitar solos.
Opeth's "When" is an near-epic masterpiece (nine minutes long) combining many of
the various elements found in old school metal; at times ethereal, the music is
differentiated by shards of controlled aggression, beautiful arpeggios, lush keyboards,
and haunting vocals.
Other songs, among many others, include Iced Earth's "Burning Times," Skinlab's
"So Far From The Truth" (think of Machine Head), the Gathering's "Liberty
Bell" (melodic metal from Holland), Jag Panzer's "Age Of Mastery" (classic
metal from Colorado), and Borknagar's "Oceans Rise" (brutal black metal with
elements of texture and atmosphere).
There isn't a single track that I wouldn't mind hearing over
and over again. Century Media have a roster of bands that should appeal to any fan of
heavy metal. Century Media's motto - "Diversity in Extremes" - is a
concise way to describe the wide variety found on this sampler. Century Media is a breath
of fresh air when compared to the major labels. Each individual listener will probably
split this disc fairly evenly into songs that they like and don't like, but for $2 plus
shipping and handling you can't go wrong. You just might find your next favorite band!
Check out Century Media's website and on-line ordering catalog at http://www.centurymedia.com/default.cfm
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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Revised: 14 Jun 2020 15:11:01 -0400
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