Marking the 20th Anniversary of the band (yes it really is that long) we have a welcome reissue from their long term home Peaceville records here. First is their excellent and indeed classic third album from 1995, presented with different artwork and new liner notes from Andy Craighan. The album has some songs that have not only stood the test of time and are still firm favourites live, but also some that perhaps have been partly forgotten. The first couple are most certainly in the former category and ‘The Angel And The Dark River’ starts with the epic (well the whole album is pretty much epic) ‘The Cry Of Mankind’ with its hypnotic weeping guitar line which, as the notes explain was the very last part of the album to fall into place. The never-ending death throws of it conjure such bleak atmosphere and the wail of a foghorn in the background which makes it virtually impossible to feel as if you are on dry land. Eventually ‘From Darkest Skies’ is summoned by that instantly recognisable bass line and the violin playing from Martin Powell which was a synonymous fixture of the band back then. You don’t need more description of these numbers do you; surely you know and love them already?
Other numbers such as ‘Black Voyage’ may well be all at sea as far as the memory is concerned but greet like a long lost friend as they sail into harbour bourn by Aaron’s heartfelt yearning clamour. There is another favourite which is introduced by calm piano but things get distinctly choppy as ‘A Sea To Suffer In’ gathers pace and take the time to read the lyrics which are pure poetry. Oh and I forgot completely just how mellow ‘Two Winters Only’ was. Backing this up we have tracks live at Dynamo Open Air in 1995 but you can chose to actually watch this if you prefer as we move onto the second disc the DVD.
‘For Darkest Eyes’ was originally released on video back in 1997 and my (ahem) copy of this was swiftly thrown in the bin when this turned up. The DVD version which followed in 2002 contained much more material, indeed you can happily spend half a day trawling through this if you wish. Concert wise there is a full set from Krakow Poland from 1996 and it’s nice to see the audience going for it in the pit during the more brutal parts. Obviously this includes many songs from ‘Angel’ so it is perfect to have this with the album and it is well shot in a professional manner with excellent sound. There are also two Dutch shows, one from 93 Willem II, and the Dynamo tracks as well as Sear Me thrown in from a 92 outing. So you have plenty to watch live (personally I do prefer concerts in front of me and am more than happy to see the band once or twice a year in the flesh). So of more interest to me are the six video clips which unless you have this, you may also only have as memories from the likes of ‘Headbangers Ball’ and ‘Into The Pit’ or on fuzzy nth generation video copies.
With well over three hours of both audio and visual material to say that this is an essential document of one of the most exciting periods of one of the best British metal bands is no mere hyperbole. If you missed this first time round it’s something you need to have, simple as that.
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