Various

Until the End of Time

1998 The End Records

Review by Miika Kuusinen

The End Records is a relatively new american label which has started to do valuable work right away supporting the underground metal scene. Their first release was Mental Home’s ”Vale” CD. Within a short period of time they have signed/licensed a crop of new bands both from the US and Europe. An example of their current roster comes in form of this 8 song compilation which features one song from each of their releases in 1998.

None of these bands have yet much fame but will certainly be heard more in the future. The bands on this compilation vary from doom metal (Mental Home, Odes of Ecstasy) to blackish metal (Epoch of Unlight, Nokturnal Mortum and Scholamance) yet despite these differentstyles there is a common sophisticated denominator through the album and the bands and songs blend well together. Even though The End has not hit the jackpot as it were with any single band, these bands are all very good examples of a fresh and lively underground movement. I wouldn’t really be surprised at all to see any of these bands making it bigger (especially in Europe) within next few years if all goes well and they can maintain their creativity.

Especially bands like Mental Home with their melancholic midtempo doom/ folk music, Nokturnal Mortum's inspired grim black metal and Odes of Ecstasy with their operatic and sophisticated greek doom have a big chance to step in. The first step is now taken by rising from demo level bands to recording artists but the final and probably the most important step of becoming professional and original bands isn’t too far away in the future. This is easier said than done but I do strongly believe that many of these bands have potential and a good chance to do it.

”..Until the End of Time” sells only for $3 US and $5 world. Support the underground and do your share by getting this album. Hear the voice of the underground…

WWW: http://www.mythosmedia.com/theend/
E-mail: theend@mythosmedia.com

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