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Rating: After three years of silence, the Piacenza blacksters Forgotten Tomb return, and they do so not with a new album (which is in the works), but with a compilation that gathers compositions from previous albums onto two CDs, from the first release, "Songs to Leave" (2002), to the last, "Negative Megalomania" (2007).
In reality, this is not a classic best-of celebrating the band's first ten years of activity, as leader Herr Morbid makes sure to point out in the booklet, but a live in studio, in which the group completely re-played the tracks, re-arranging them and updating them to their current collective mindset, which has surely changed since their beginnings.
Thus, not a trivial operation, especially considering the various medleys they created, which almost form suites, very fluid and spontaneous, without getting lost in full-blown jams (notably the track created from Disheartenment / Alone / Steal My Corpse). Also present are three covers, the initial riff of Black Sabbath, in the opening of Subway Apathy, Papercuts by Nirvana, and Depression (an uncoincidental title) by Black Flag.
And so far, the form. As for the substance, it is worth noting how the band delivered a really convincing performance, incisive and communicative, possessing both the warmth of a live show and the precision of a studio recording.
These versions of the tracks have an impressive drive, and even the older compositions sound fresh in their anger and despair.
As regards the unreleased song, Spectres over Venice, it can certainly be seen as the logical continuation of the musical dialogue produced with "Negative Megalomania," that is, a depressive-toned black, but still played with a direct attitude and no frills, as the iconoclasm that animates the group's spirit dictates.
It is truly pleasing to see how this band continues to challenge itself, taking non-trivial paths, while always keeping their original spirit intact, although clearly revised and corrected over the years.
A great gift to their fans, which, for once, also has a high artistic value.
Disc 1
1. Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath cover) / Subway Apathy 10:53
2. Solitude Ways 06:23
3. A Dish Best Served Cold 07:38
4. Disheartenment / Alone / Steal My Corpse 13:31
5. Daylight Obsession 07:49
6. Papercuts (Nirvana cover) 04:33
Disc 2
1. Spectres Over Venice 07:25
2. Love's Burial Ground 10:09
3. Entombed by Winter / House of Nostalgia 15:46
4. Scars 07:36
5. Depression (Black Flag cover) / Feedback 10:22
Total playing time 01:42:05
Tracklist
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