Various Artists
Fenriz Presents... The Best Of Old School Black Metal

October 2004
Released: 2004, Peaceville Records/Sound Pollution
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: Anders Sandvall

From Darkthrone’s Fenriz, one of the most respected figures in the black metal universe, comes an insight into old school black metal. This compilation runs from the bands who started it up through some of the bands who are still active today. Fenriz has gathered sixteen tracks and for those who are old enough to remember when these bands started out and spread the first black metal wave over the world, this compilation is like an early Christmas gift.



Fenriz has collected classic bands like Venom, Mercyful Fate and Bathory. I can still remember sitting in my room at my parents house in the beginning of the 80’s and thinking that black metal couldn’t get any better than this. I get nostalgic when I hear Sodom, Venom and Destruction. As always, the music takes a leap forward and bands like Burzum, Mayhem and Samael took black metal a step further. Fenriz has also added some newer bands that have the pure black metal attitude like Nattefrost and Aura Noir, but lets not forget cult bands like Sarcofago and Tormentor.



This compilation is pure gold for an old fan of black metal like me, but I miss some bands that Fenriz left out. I guess he picked out his own favorite bands. But for all of those youngsters out there who have just recently become acquainted with black metal, this is an excellent compilation to begin with. It gives you some back info on the bands who formed this genre and at the same time it gives you the best of that early time period.



Fenriz personally picked out all the songs that are featured here and added an exclusive booklet with notes, also by Fenriz, that give an insight into each song and it’s relevance to him and impact on the scene. He has done a good job and picked out songs that define the essence of black metal. He has also left out the bands who use keyboards and that is only a positive thing.



The negative things about this brilliant compilation are narrowed down to only two. The sound quality of the songs are questionable and below all standards. It sounds like it’s taken directly from tape copies. The album cover is also disappointing.



My favorite tracks are “Warhead”, “Dies Irae”. “Evil”, “Burst Command ‘Til War”, “Curse The Gods” and “Dawn Of Megiddo”. Overall this is a stunning compilation that holds the best of old school black metal and I strongly suggest you purchase this right away if you’re really black at heart!





http://www.peaceville.com

http://www.soundpollution.se