Search - Skeletal Family :: Best of Skeletal Family: Promised Land

A long lost Gothic gem!

Matthew | Pittsburgh | 01/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My warmest regards to Cherry Red Records for seeing that music of this quality stays in print and is re-released on CD format. This is another FINE collection in the 'Goth Rock Collectors Series' from the English Punk and Indie label. Skeletal Family is a definitive Death Rock band and this is a spectacular collection of their best material. Most of these songs are available on CD for the first time. Shrill bewitching female vocals, eerie guitar discord, tribalesque drumming, and thundering bass lines. The atmosphere is foreboding at times, as on the plodding dirge "Trees" and on the manic frenzy of "The Wind Blows." But though the majority of the band's material is moody and dark, another side of the band can be heard on the playful Banshees-esque "So Sure" and more dramatically on the earnest single "Promised Land," for which this collection is named. The latter track is a charging, full-throttle call to arms. An uplifting, breathtaking, and energetic song that is a perfect example that illustrates the Goth genre's punk rock roots.The conveniance of this disc makes it a very efficient purchase, but for completists, Cherry Red has re-issued Skeletal Family's full album "Burning Oil" and a comprehensive singles collection. But for those that are interested in discovering Death Rock, or just wish to compile a more thorough and classy Goth Rock collection, this is a must. Additionally, this is a perfect collection for DJs who still carry the torch of the old school at their local clubs. All in all, if you are reading this review, you must be curious about the band. This is a risk free and highly recommended purchase."