V/A

To say the truth, when I opened the package and saw a black cover with gothic font on it, I thought I received a compilation of underground true-black legions. I was wrong. Estonians are very friendly and metal fans do their best to stay united, not dividing themselves into true and grindcore-maniacs, who claim heavy/power is gay-metal. Estonian Metal Compilation consists of 18 high quality tracks, styles differing from heavy to true-black. Nearly every band has its distinguishing feature and you have to mention almost every song. HERALD plays heavy-speed, its vocalist generally sings with a clear voice, sometimes a little high. MUST MISA plays raw black'n'roll. I was amazed to hear ECHOSILENCE. It's not metal at all - it's rock with beautiful female vocals. There's a death metal band in Estonia - SYMBOLIC STATE! MANTARK plays mediocre pagan/black metal. The next is CONNECT[&]CUT - American new-thrash. LOITS attracts attention with a long prelude, a part of a broadcast about Ludwig Van Beethoven; right after it you enjoy stylish rock with some growling. IGNORABIMUS is going to tell you something about Tibet, screaming, growling and singing in clear voice with heavy/doom metal riffs and oriental motives in the background. KANTOR VAY plays an interesting relaxational space rock. There's an interesting composition by METSATOLL, pagan metal. The composition is actually a ritual song of Estonian shaman: bagpipes, rough death riffs, percussions, imitating tambourine, a chore and the incantations of the wizard. Next goes good black/death metal from BESTIA and modern-thrash - EAST TRADING WANG. HORRICANE plays doom/death with symphonic insets. THARAPHITA persuades that you can still experiment with good old heavy, why don't you use grim voice instead of clear. RECYCLE BIN, a thrash-rock band, combines melodic parties with aggressive riffs and clear vocals with distortionous and growling. Next goes true black MEINARDUS and beautiful doom metal - Whispering Forest. Super! The final point is put by modern-thrash band LOOM. This versatile release is worth listening!