I’m sure every metal fan has at some point been influenced by the almighty compilation, whether it’s one you’ve purchased or a free covermount CD. While mainstream metal compilations found in HMV are really quite laughable, usually being made up of the same songs by the same artists but with a different title, if not for compilations put out by the likes of Candlelight, Earache and Nuclear Blast then there would probably be a bit of a gap in my CD collection. Trouble is that there are so many compilations out there now that it can be difficult to decide which ones are worth parting with your hard earned cash for and which ones are better left on the shelf, especially if one is not familiar with the artists on the record.
Scarlet Records have released this compilation to mark the occasion of their 10th anniversary and the CD contains tracks by some of the artists on their diverse roster. Luckily Scarlet do have a few names that are established enough to garner interest from metal fans such as the modern death thrashers Hatesphere who lend the track ‘Death Trip’ and Italian prog-power classicalists Dark Moor who have provided ‘Wheel of Fortune’, one of the stronger tracks from their latest offering Tarot. The diversity of the Scarlet Records roster means that, unlike some compilations that cater to fans of a specific sub-genre, it’s likely that there will be one or two tracks of interest and plenty you find yourself wanting to skip.
Kicking off with the slowest track on the album seems like a bad move, with Vision Divine’s prog-power ballad ‘Another Day’ almost causing me to drift off and miss what’s to follow, but managing to keep my eyes and ears open I discover that there are some decent tracks to be heard later on. Medieval metallers Olympos Mons and epic prog-power outfit Thy Majestie each have something special to offer to those with a hankering for power metal, while Stormlord and Malfeitor are some of the most notable examples of extreme metal here, along with Necrodeath who offer a fast and furious shot of blackened thrash mayhem. Kayser have a hard rocking sound that brings to mind Monster Magnet, Terror 2000 and Barcode represent the hardcore fans while The Defaced offer a laid back southern tinged brand of rock.
There is some good stuff to be found on this compilation and it’s worth checking out if you have fairly broad tastes in rock and metal, or are hoping to discover something new. If you’re after something a little more focused then this probably isn’t for you.
www.scarletrecords.it
