Various Artists - Face The Darkness

From Inception to Foundation, Sweden's Twisted Flesh Recordings has been extremely busy. In the course of a few months, the label has formed, signed a handful of very promising (and sometimes well known) Harsh EBM bands, and established itself as a force to be reckoned with.

After a remix album by Project Rotten (also on the label currently), "Face the Darkness" is the first proper release by the label, and features a minor army of big named bands.

It takes tracks from well known bands (C-Lekktor, Uberbyte, Suicidal Romance, Angel Theory, Diverje and Menschdefekt), new and upcoming projects (D-Tox, Sadiztik:Injektion, Say Just Words, Suono,ES23), and finally, three. of the labels own projects (Electric Breathing, Diversant:13, Syndrome x/209)

The first track is by Mexican legends C-Lekktor, and what an opener! Their contribution is "Living Dead", lifted from 2010's "Tendencias Suicidas".

Throughout the release, the quality of the tracks remains very high, and despite the temptation to score this with the highest possible score, I feel there is a glaring flaw.

Half of the tracks are exclusive, and half of the tracks are lifted from existing releases. This may often be the way with Compilation CDs, but I'd personally love to see a new track, rather than just a remix of an existing one.

D-Tox have impressed me a lot with their contribution, as have the excellent ES23 (Feat Project Rotten) - who are long overdue some recognition.

Sadiztik:Injektion offers a remix of an existing track, as does excellent American act Diverje. Angel Theory managed to sneak in a remix by Stahlnebel and Black Selket, adding to the excellent line up.

The only thing that doesn't sit well with me about this compilation is the fact that the labels own bands almost get swallowed up by the excellency of the other artists on here, but ultimately, every track is excellent.

Diversant:13 have reissued "Silent Night 2010" in anticipation of their label debut, Syndrome x/209 has issued "Sexuality", and new act Electric Breathing has contributed "Zerfall" from the album "Sounds of Psychosis".

Finally, Menschdefekt have given an unreleased and so-far exclusive track in the form of "The End", which might just keep this release on the tongues of the fanbase for quite some time. Incredible compilation, combined with the fact that it is free, and a label's first release, makes it unmissable.

Sadly, however, I feel that the bands from Twisted Flesh have nearly had their limelight stolen by the more established acts on here, but props to the label for putting out a fair release. Mar 17 2011