Various Artists - Contaminated 5.0
- Released: 2003
- Label: Relapse
- Rating:
Relapse Records has released a two-disc compilation containing many of the bands (45 to be exact) on their label entitled Contaminated 5.0. Contained within is pretty much everything you could want in a compilation and more. Relapse is a great label with a lot of good bands and many of them may and probably will surprise you.
This compilation is a very good way to check out bands you may have wanted to hear but never got around to, or if you are poor like me and don’t have the money to be spending on random Relapse CDs to see if they are good or not. Sadly, I had never gotten around to listening to the likes of Alabama Thunderpussy, Dysrhythmia, or Today Is the Day before this compilation, but it was a great chance to find out whether I should pursue further material. As far as the bands I already knew, Relapse chose some good songs for the compilation, typically ones off of each band’s newest album. You’ll hear such songs as Mastodon’s “March of the Fire Ants” and Nile’s “Sarcophagus”. High on Fire’s “Hung, Drawn and Quartered” convinced me to give them a second chance after turning off The Art of Self Defense partway through.
I was completely surprised by two artists on this release: 27 and Dysrhythmia. Dysrhythmia caught me off guard – they remind me of Hostile Apostle, a local instrumental band. Now I have two incredible instrumental bands to lust over. 27’s song on the compilation is simply a woman singing, a piano, and a slow drumbeat. It totally did not fit the grind aura that Relapse seems to eminate. They are definitely one band to check out.
However, the compilation has its problems. The primary problem is that, like with any compilation, it’s very hard to get the production to be the same throughout so that all of the songs flow smoothly. It doesn’t seem that any type of uniformity was attempted at all here. Some songs flow well, others are a steep drop-off. I expected this to happen before I listened, so its occurrence didn’t bother me, but it’s still somewhat annoying. The other problem is the quantity of bands that just aren’t any good. For every Bongzilla or Soilent Green there’s a Genocide Superstars. There are MANY good bands on this compilation, but when you put 46 bands on the same release there’s bound to be disappointment.
Overall this is a great compilation from Relapse and is the best way to check out most of the bands on their label if you don’t have the access to download all of each band’s album(s). The two discs are a mere eight dollars on Relapse’s E-Store and are worth every cent. If you’re interested at all in any of these bands, pick up your copy today.
Link: relapse.com
Farlus | 08/08/2003