February 2005
Released: 2004, Season of Mist
Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewer: JP
Another quick public service announcement! This is a Season of Mist compilation. It comes in single and double disc versions. The double is far preferable as the second disc is full of rarities. Sadly, I only have the single disc version.
This collection represents 16 bands. The cover is cool, but not all that original, is pretty low budget, not many frills. It just has pictures of each CD cover art, but no lyrics, no liner notes, no photos of the bands, not even a bio, or contact info. Needs improvement in the presentation.
Some people might complain about ‘cash-grab’ compilations, but I think these types of collections are important and serve that key function, introduce bands to potential new fans. It works too. I heard the band Penumbra (Track one) and went out and bought their CD, based on the strength of that one cut!
Musically, I’ve always considered SOM to be a bit of an avante-garde record label. They certainly fall within the realm of heavy, even extreme music, covering all areas of death, doom and black metal. There is an awful lot of quality bands on this label, not maybe the biggest names or the best sellers, nor the most controversial, fastest, sickest or whatever, but certainly among the best. The bands represented do cover those genres with a nice mix. It’s a real mixed bag and open minded fans of heavy music in it’s many forms will find several things on this sampler to entertain.
