That right, we’re returning to the world of metal compilations. This was easily one of the weirdest mini festivals I’ve done for the blog, but it’s one that was simultaneously a lot of fun! It’s always challenging finding information about a collection of songs put together, and while some might be easier than others, the amount of work it takes to locate the info can be a little hard. Again, through the hard work, finding the info is fun in and of itself.
Sadly, we’re starting things off with one of the worst metal compilations every produced. Ironically, the compilation of the band in question wasn’t needed at all, as they already had one out beforehand. Sadly, corporate greed interfered, and what we got was.....something. So, get on your best funeral clothes, weep, and read my review for......The Best Of Type-O Negative. Let’s.....begin.
Background
Type-O Negative, despite their return with Life Is Killing Me in 2003, weren’t the top band for Roadrunner Records anymore. With bands like Slipknot & Soulfly on the payroll, their position within the company wasn’t quite as impressive as it once was. To further issues between the band & Roadrunner, Pete Steele described the situation as a noose around his neck. With tensions rising, the band decided to jump ship to SPV records in hopes of being treated better. Just as they left, Roadrunner decided to release the unsanctioned compilation, The Best Of Type-O Negative.
Released on September the 12th, 2006, The Best Of Type-O Negative came out alongside other unsanctioned compilations of Sepultura, Fear Factory, and Ill Niño. There’s not that much else: finding other pieces of information are difficult at best, and I’ve only found one review of any note (Read here). Said review goes against what my opinion on it is, but I’ll let you judge things for yourself.
Basic Description
A slap to the face.
It’s not often that a metal album makes me shiver. Even before I managed to buy this, I heard stories & saw comments about how bad & unnecessary The Best Of Type-O Negative was. At first I somewhat dismissed all of it, as I chalked it up to hardcore fans blowing things out of proportion. Then as time went on, said stories & comments seemed to stick around a little harder, so I didn’t blow them off as much. Finally, I managed to get a copy back in November of 2015 due to an impulse.....and yeah, this is bad! This is perhaps one of the most cynical, soulless, cheap cashgrabs a record company has ever pulled! As I saw it in Pete Steele’s biography book, The Best Of Type-O Negative wasn’t made for the fans.....it was made for people who’ve never heard of the band. The tragic thing is, the songs that were picked for this.......were great! Christian Woman, My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend, right up to Life Is Killing Me......Roadrunner picked a fantastic group of tunes! However, because of their greed, every moment of music on this compilation (With the exception of one song) is tainted.
Best Track
Like I said way back in 2015 in my overview on the band, Highway Star is the only good song on this compilation. Originally off of the Nascar compilation Crank It Up (Which I might actually pick up if I can find it), this is the only other CD you can find it on, and it’s a shame it wasn’t on Life Is Killing Me from 2003. This is one of those covers that doesn’t follow the original form of the song, but somehow manages to stay true to it’s spirit. Right after hearing the revving of an engine, it goes right into a nice guitar & track beat that’s pretty damn fast for later-era Type-O Negative, and things feel like it might drive off the end of a cliff. Highway Star is easily the biggest highlight of this collection of songs, and should be the only reason to buy this release.
Highway Star
Outside of the music, the only other good thing about The Best Of Type-O Negative would be how ordered the track listing is. Outside of some exclusions (More of that below), listening through it feels like a natural progression of the band’s career. It starts at the beginning, and ends at what would ultimately be the band’s end at Roadrummer. This is the one thing that sets itself above The Least Worst Of......barely.
Worst Track
Oh boy. Where to begin!
For starters, the songs (For the most part) aren’t the original version. Instead, they’re the edited for radio/music video editions. That in theory isn’t bad, but The Least Worst Of already did something like this! Not only that, the track listing on the back of the album doesn’t display the fact that they’re the edited versions. Secondly, Roadrunner completely excluded tracks from The Origin Of The Feces and the bands original compilation from 2000. I can sort of understand why tracks from The Least Worst Of wouldn’t be on here, but Type-O’s 1992 release? Sure, it’s a fake live album, but it’s still a step in the band’s career!
But the biggest issue isn’t with the music per se, but with the fact that Roadrunner released this. Since they were leaving, I can understand why they couldn’t stop the company for putting it out. However, the fact that Roadrunner put it out when they were going to another company is an act of greed & cowardice of the highest degree! The fact that you put this out when you already got a compilation from Type-O Negative shows that maybe you just wanted them to be a cashcow from the beginning, and were just waiting for the right time to do so!
For a more minor bad thing, even the album cover isn't new, as it was originally the cover used for the band's Love You To Death single. Really!!??
Other
If for whatever reason you want to listen to this, click on the link below.
The Best Of Type-O Negative
Overall Impression & Rating
The Best Of Type-O Negative is an example of a record company trying to make a quick buck off of a band that garnered them fame & money, and it shows. Released without their permission, hastily put together, and excluding material in the process. What little good can be found on here does not wash away how awful everything else, and I’m furious that this was released! It really is just a shallow compilation of music, and I’m shocking that I willingly purchased. My advice: only acquire this if you’re a die hard Type-O Negative fan!
Highway Star, on it’s own merit, is easily a 10 out of 10. As for a collection of music? I’m giving it a 2 out of 10. Easily the worst album I’ve reviewed so far!
So that ends the start of Compilation Month. It’s a shame that I began April on a bad note, but I promise you that things will definitely get better in a few weeks. In the meantime, be sure to realize that not everything that’s called the best.....isn’t the best.
***
If you want to see a good Type-O Negative compilation, check out the link below:
The Least Worst Of (Review)
No comments:
Post a Comment