Covenant - Sequencer: Beta

Covenant - Sequencer: Beta (1997)
Off Beat

A 20 year old album to kick off the new year, you ask? Yes, the original "Sequencer" album was actually released in 1996. The "Beta" upgrade was released a year later. You want this version for the outstanding "Luminal" bonus track, one of the best electronic songs ever released! If you're a collector, you probably also know about the completely different "Luminal (Test Version)" available on the "Septic" compilation. Both versions of "Luminal" are favourites of mine. "Sequencer" is also a really good album. In fact, it's one of the best albums I own. Don't stream - Buy!

Seven Trees - Expanding The Unknown

Seven Trees - Embracing The Unknown
(1997) Energy / Expanding The Unknown
(Re-issue 2013) Infacted

"Expanding The Unknown" is a remastered and expanded (obviously!) re-issue of Seven Trees only album, the classic "Embracing The Unknown". The new remastered sound is incredible! I loved the original album, but this version is so much better. Too bad I don't think the bonus tracks (old demos, mostly) are anywhere near the album's quality. Luckily I don't have to listen to them, the remastered album songs are making the album worth

purchasing even if you already own the original CD.
I've always thought that Seven Trees sounds like Diary Of Dreams'
evil twin brother, and I don't think it's impossible that they enjoyed Adrian's 1996 album "End Of Flowers" as much as I did.
Get this album before it's gone. Infacted's Classic Collection releases are all limited to 1000 copies.

Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell CD/DVD

Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell
CD/DVD (1997/2006)
Epic

This is a classic record, as you all should be aware of. Jim Steinman's songwriting, Meat Loaf's voice and the super gifted back up musicians makes this one of the greatest rock albums of all time. This CD/DVD combo is worth getting even if you already own the regular album. The DVD is, in fact, the previously released "Hits Out Of Hell", packed with cheesy promo videos from Meat's first two albums. Great stuff!

Diary Of Dreams - Bird Without Wings

Diary Of Dreams -
Bird Without Wings
(1997) Accession

This is my all-time favourite Diary Of Dreams album. It doesn't sound like any of their other releases. The songs are long and dreamlike. After this album Adrian began to write shorter and more straight forward songs. Too bad, I would like more albums to sound like this!

Rational Youth - Cold War Night Life

Rational Youth -
Cold War Night Life (1982/1997)
October


This is a really classic synth pop album. Actually it's just as classic as Depeche Mode's debute "Speak And Spell". Maybe not as well known, but just as good! 10, or in my case 11 (as I've got a re-issue), classic synth pop songs!

Jerusalem Syndrome - The Book Of Days (Re-issue)

Jerusalem Syndrome -
The Book Of Days (Re-issue)
2CD (2011)
Nile

Jerusalem Syndrome was a on-off collaboration between Ikon's mastermind Chris McCarter and Subterfuge/Razorfade singer Clifford Ennis. They released one album "The Book Of Days" and some compilation tracks back in 1997.
I have only one problem with this remastered re-issue. It contains the previously unreleased first mix of the album. The 1997 Apollyon release have a far superior mix. Otherwise it's perfect. The CD contains the rare "Without Shadows" in two versions as well as a lot of unreleased demos and alternative mixes. Now, I'm only hoping for a re-release of Clifford's old band Subterfuge's EP "Darkland Awakening", packed with lot's of extras!
This is one of my all time favourite albums. Get it now! And try to get hold of the Apollyon version as well.

W.A.S.P. - K.F.D.

W.A.S.P. - K.F.D. (1997)
Sanctuary/Victor

This is probably the most underrated W.A.S.P. album and I can't see why. Personally I think "Helldorado" is the worst W.A.S.P. album ever. Sure, it doesn't really sound like the W.A.S.P. we're used to, but it's aggressive and cool - even a bit industrial. The songs "Kill Fuck Die", "Killahead", "Kill Your Pretty Face", "U" and the eerie "The Horror" are all classics! If you buy the Japanese version you'll get the track "Tokyo's On Fire" but sadly you'll lose "Little Death" and the crappy "Fetus". This album is a must have if you're feeling aggressive.