Like most fans of the artists on the MCM roster, I had to have this album, simply because it features previously-unavailable live performances from Saviour Machine. So, even after sitting through the radio-special style intro from MCM Pastor Dave Hart, I'm eager to listen. Eva O kicks things off with two strong cuts from her largely unheard Damnation project. Heavy and brooding. Rackets And Drapes kick in their two songs from Candyland, and the European power metal band Narnia breaks the gothic vibe a little with some melodic power metal and amazing guitar work a la Carljohan Grimmark from their hard-to-find (in the USA) album Long Live The King. Wedding Party adds their two cents worth with the powerful "War Memorial" and "Bury The Dead" from Anthems (two good examples of why this band will be missed). As you can see, the uninitiated gets introduced to some very good music before the last 22 minutes are turned over to Saviour Machine.
Saviour Machine offers "The Night" from the Legend II album, and the classical remix from the Behold A Pale Horse picture disc in addition to a couple live tracks from Christmas Rock Night 1998. A different take of "Gog: Kings of the North" (called "Gog (Death March)" here) segue into "The Invasion of Israel," just as on Legend I, but featuring the extra dimension to the swirling sound samples that bring the two songs together. It may not rock as crisp and clear as the studio versions do in your headphones, but the screaming vocals (only at times) crack and strain with real passion. You can almost see the bulging veins and feel the spit. The band jumps right in to "The Whore of Babylon," showcasing the band's brilliant ability to shift from bombastic to beautiful in an instant. Even though the last 22 minutes are Saviour Machine, it almost seems like too short of a visit to the land that their music resides in. You're out of the experience far sooner than you're used to with this band.
As an intro to a label's roster, fantastic. As a collector's piece for Saviour Machine fans, a must-have. Overall, a tight and consistent compilation album.
Other coverage for this album
Art for the Ears 2001Reviewed by Marco PovervestThough this album is out since the last century, it only fell on my doormat a few weeks ago. It's interesting enough to review it after all. Music For The Next Millennium starts with an introduction talk of pastor Dave Hart of Sanctuary San Diego. There are five bands on the disc. Eva-O, formerly of Christian Death, contributed two tunes from her Damnation album. The songs are dark, gothic and…Dead Zine 1999Reviewed by NecRoSarXFinally. With the MCM label being distributed by Diamante Saviour Machine is easier to find. Not to mention the other bands on the label. My Goth side rejoices greatly. Not that all the bands on this sampler are "goth" per se. For the Goth purists, there are cuts by Eva O. ("Stand Before The Light", "Blood Lust"), Wedding Party ("War Memorial" -good tune, by the way, "Bury The Dead") and Saviour…
