On one hand, many of the performers mix instruments and musical elements in odd and highly creative contrasting fashions and there are often some pretty good tunes to be found. On the other hand, there are the lyrics... lyrics that more often than not make me wonder if they're not engaging in self-parody and I'm just missing the joke.

Then there's also the overall level of quality in Death Metal. Sturgeon's Law seems to be in full effect for the practicioners of this music, with an additional 4% amount of [junk] being guarenteed.

Thankfully, there isn't a single clunker anywhere on this compilation. These are all truly top-drawer tracks, with the songs from Always Daalva, Tiamat, Mayhem, Moonspell, Danzig (!), and Near Dark standing out in particular.

The album gets Four Stars, however, because some of the songs have truly, truly stupid lyrics. Some of them really would have been better served as intrumentals.