Editorial Review

Nine Inch Nails are a pretty amazing phenomenon when one considers what they--um, he--have done with just a few studio recordings. Read more

Features

• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (558)

A mental breakdown, set to audio.
"The Downward Spiral" consistently ranks as one of the best albums of the 1990's, and it's not difficult to see why. All of Nine Inch Nail's albums are at least good, but TDS is (so far) their... er, his best. This album is an industrial classic. So many great tracks.
Pure perfection
The Downward Spiral takes you on a journey, nuff said. Very few albums, especially today, pull you in and take you on a ride that pulls out all of your emotions. You'll cringe, get teary-eyed, but in the end you're relieved you got through it. This is pure intensity with absolutely beautiful melodies.

Brilliance
Brilliant.Solid.Powerful.A timeless masterpiece.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Industrial    4. Industrial Metal    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Big and moody, Read more

Reviews (70)

A great collection, but only of real value to collectors.
For quite a while, "Staring at the Sea: The Singles" was an essential package of music by the Cure and a fine introduction to their catalog-- in recent years its value has been minimized by the appearance of the "Greatest Hits" compilation, a retrospective spanning the band's career on Fiction Records.For collectors though, the opening track, "Killing an Arab" is worth the price of admission.
An Excellent Compilation of Early Cure
This was the 1st Cure album I had bought, and I really wasn't sure what to expect. The only songs I was familiar with were "Boys Don't Cry", "In Between Days", & "Close To Me". Wow! Everysong is great, and very diverse styles & moods as the album goes on. After that I had gone out & purchased just about all of their albums. My only gripe is that it needs to be remastered! How about a 20th Anniversery re-release???

I Give You Exhibit A
Although their legions of fans would beg to differ and albums like "Disintegration" and "The Head on the Door" make a compelling argument to the contrary, The Cure have always been, first and foremost, a singles band.Need proof?Exhibit item A: "Staring at the Sea -- The Singles."
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative/Indie-Rock    3. College Rock    4. England    5. Goth Rock    6. New Wave    7. Pop    8. Post-Punk    9. Rock    10. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

The hard-rocking Cult have come along way from the early Native American stylings of Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (29)

best of "most popular" Cult hits
The Cult is the best under appreciated band in history.They date back to 1982 where they were known as The Southern Death Cult.Unknown to most The Cult is the first Alternative Rock Grundge band.During the Big hair rock days they were so different that they had no category.
A fine overview and a thorough collection.
"Pure Cult: The Singles 1984-1995" is a collection of singles by the Cult during the band's initial lifetime, stretching from the band's early days as psychedelic goths through the band's hard rock days and their eventual fade.The Cult seemed to have a knack for picking fantastic material for singles and this overview will provide most casual fans with pretty much eveything they need.For the more diehard types, there's a trio of single-only releases on this album that deserve attention.
The Cult - 'Pure Cult: The Singles 1984-1995' (Beggars Banquet)
An absolute must-have nineteen track compilation of The Cult's singles over an eleven year time span.Not one lemon here.All 19 cuts totally kick ass!The Cult more or less HAS to be one of the better/best bands to come out of the '80's.Tag 'em as you like,but they're actually 'Heavy Goth-Rock'.Tunes here that are sure to keep this CD in your current rotation stack for awhile are "She Sells Sanctuary","Fire Woman",the awesome "Revolution","Rain","Edie(Ciao Baby)" and "Wild Flower".A true keeper. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. British Metal    3. Hard Rock    4. Heavy Metal    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

On Read more

Reviews (23)

Deep, wild and wonderfully wyrd!
Joined this time by an entire ensemble of period and modern instruments that layer in with the women's vocals, the Mediaeval Baebes continue to deepen and flesh out their sound, experimenting with new stylistic elements ranging from traditional folk and folk rock to African-style percussive chant and even an atonal choral symphony.The Baebes continue to take turns at playing instruments and composing the music, too, displaying their diverse sensibilities while never straying too far from the group's signature sound--a blend of driving, unison chants with wispy, straight-toned solos and mesmerizing whirlwinds of naturally looping vocals and instrumentals.The mix of lively and laid back songs on "Mirabilis" is about half and half, with the lively songs being highly and intriguingly percussive but (thankfully!) with nary a mindless, programmed club-beat in earshot.#15, in particular, "Come My Sweet," is a great dance song and all acoustic.The only electronic sound on this album seems to be from an occasional electric guitar or bass, judiciously used.The rest is all natural, and still wickedly cool.For more pseudo-medieval music with a modern edge, try also the recordings of Faun, Estampie, Corvus Corax, Qntal, Dead Can Dance, and "MCMXC A.D." by Enigma.And if you'd like to take the plunge and try the real thing, check out the following:"Music of the Crusades" by David Munrow and the Early Music Consort of London, "Cantigas de Amigo" by Ensemble Alcatraz and Kitka, "On the Way to Bethlehem" by Ensemble Unicorn, and "Perceval: The Quest for the Grail" by La Nef, "Libre Vermell" by Sarband, "Istanpitta" I and II by New York's Ensemble for Early Music, and anything by Wolgemut.Great stuff--unplugged and all on its own!
Temptasyon!
I have always enjoyed listening to the Baebes, and this may become my favorite recording of theirs yet! I especially got hooked on "Star of the Sea" and "Temptasyon."

A Midsummer Night's Dream~Or Was It?
I experienced the most beautiful vision a fortnight ago. I perceived eight lovely maidens dancing and singing in an enchanted grove. Prancing and gliding in the light of a full moon, they moved back and forth between the standing stones scattered here and there around a grassy clearing.
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Subjects:  1. Choral    2. Early Music    3. Ethnic Fusion    4. Goth Rock    5. Medieval    6. New Age / Meditation    7. Pop    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Finland’s His Infernal Majesty (H.I.M.) has managed to release a solid, if not wholly overwhelming album. Listening to vocalist Ville Valo work his magic on the title tune, where he bridges the distance between Bono and Bowie, you almost believe you’re listening to one of the great voices, maybe even great bands, of the age. The sharp, hook-laden tunes such as "Killing Loneliness," "Vampire Heart" and "Rip Out The Wings Of A Butterfly" only seem to confirm that initial spark of discovery. However, the brilliance evident at the beginning barely stretches to the halfway mark. "The Face Of God" and "Drunk On Shadows" are little more than hooks around which other things happen rather than the promising, fully realized material found at the album’s start. That said, Read more

Reviews (137)

Buy It
I love this album.Amazing melodies, memorable lyrics, and top notch production that creates a recording that is near perfect. I have all of HIM's previous recordings and they have their high marks though this is the most complete offering.This band is simply fantastic and so is this album.

The Best Band You Dont Know About
I discovered HIM by accident while watching the OzzFest 10th Anniversary TV documentary.There was a set from this band from Finland and it took me all of about 15 seconds to recognize the talent of the lead singer Ville Vallo. The band was HIM.Make no mistake, his haunting lyrics and voice are unique and truly special and are the driving force behind this band.His persona perfectly represents that battle in every person of light and dark that is the storyline of the bands music.He is the show.I have listened to every recording of this band and everything they put out is really good. "Dark Light" is a natural evolution.Not everybody likes evolution but for me that is what makes music great and thus this ranks as HIMs best work.Making music is like a construction project and this record is far more complicated and ambitious than anything previous.Comparing it to the bands initial release is like comparing a single story building to a skyscraper!The guitar, drums, keyboarding etc are all much more complex and crisp than previous recordings.IMO the band has finally caught up to the bar that the lead singer set from the beginning.
John Cougar Mellencamp
Him? Who?Who's he? Him!I don't know who he is.It's him. Who's he!!!HIM!!!Alright, ENOUGH!He is JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP!! He is HIM!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Finland    3. Goth Rock    4. Heavy Metal    5. Industrial/Gothic    6. Pop    7. Rock   

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (61)

If you've got the problem, then I've got the Cure!
As many reviewers have stated, this is pretty much The Cure's singles volume 2.In my opinion, these are the best Cure songs and much better than the older stuff (except "Boys Don't Cry" was an awesome song from "Staring At The Sea: The Singles).On this CD, you are taken on a rollercoaster of Robert Smith and company's tragic tales of love and lost love.I love how so many of the songs have so many layers in it.The song will start with some guitar, bass, and drums, and then will build up and kick in some keyboards, and by the time Smith's voice begins you're already bobbing your head.Many have tried to copy The Cure's signature sound, but none have been able to outdo them.Most of the songs on here are excellent with a few so-so tracks.The best songs are: Just Like Heaven (easily my favorite song by The Cure - "'Show me show me Show me how you do that trick The one that makes me scream' she said."Love it!), Catch, Why Can't I Be You?, Pictures of You, Close To Me (which the Get Up Kids did a nice cover of), Friday I'm In Love, and Lovesong.While he sings, you can just picture Robert Smith, with all his makeup and fingernail polish and think, "Man, this guy's got some issues with love!"But it is his passion in every word he sings that makes you feel his pain as well as his joy.It's like he is singing the words that you have wanted to say and never knew how to express.Please do yourself a favor and buy this CD.You'll be happy you did!

Robert Smith is god
For all of you guys who weren't born late in the 1970's, this could be a perfect introduction to a band who made a clear path to all of our minds and souls since back then. If you can find peace and joy in "High", "In between days" and "Just Like Heaven" and let the music flow in your heart for a moment while Smith plays his sad and crazy and melancholic music....man what a insanesation! I have no doubt in my mind that all of those who were born close to date, are going to buy this CD (if you already don't have all the albums up to date, and even if so...). This band makes a clear statement to an ERA. Along with INXS, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, U2,and Midnight Oil and many others. Not the bunch of crap that's coming out today: this is a MUST HAVE CD.
The singles, volume 2.
The truth is, when "Galore" was released, it was pretty needed at the time. Their previous singles collection only ran through the "Head On The Door" album, and since then they put out four classic/good albums, two live albums, and a remix collection. Overall I think this does a good job, because these are the singles after all. The first half of this is excellent, taking from the "Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me" and "Disintegration" albums, and adding "Never Enough" from "Mixed Up". The second half is still good with the hits from "Wish", the better songs from "Wild Mood Swings", a mix of "Close To Me", and the new track "Wrong Number". In my perfect world, "Pictures Of You" would be the full version, and I'd easily swap the song "Apart" for any of the "WMS" tracks. Still a solid collection, even if it's not as classic as the "Staring At The Sea" disc. There's also the basic career-spanning "Greatest Hits" too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. College Rock    3. Goth Rock    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Popular Music    7. Post-Punk    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Malevolent megalomaniac or eerie artiste? Rob Zombie is a bit of both. With spooky metal music that's as colorful and kitschy as its comic art, the singer's solo debut bears more than a little resemblance to his band of many years, White Zombie. These 13 tracks (yeah, there just Read more

Features

• Explicit Lyrics

Reviews (333)

A layed back Metal for most listeners (4.5/5)
this is most definately the best debut ive heard yet, if white zombie is half as good as this is it is bound to be an incredible debut as well
Good Industrial-Metal
This Rob's best album,more darker & heavier than "The Sinister Urge" and "Educated Horses".My favourite song is "Return Of The Phantom Stranger",but all song is good (except one-two fillers).Most powerful track is Dragula and Superbeast,but the hardest is "What Lurks On Channel X ?".Good guitar riffs,with techno sound,and monotonic drums is characteristics on this cd...the vocal's not bad.If you like White Zombie,you'll like this album.

"What are you thinking about?"
I was first hooked onto Rob Zombie after hearing 'Living Dead Girl' off the 'Psycho' remake soundtrack.I was floored at the eerie vibe that could be acheived through his music.Then I heard 'Dragula' and decided that I needed this album.From start to finish Rob Zombie delivers, and this is by far his best album.Sinister Urge just didn't do much for me and had an overall poppy feel to it that was a huge dissapointment.This album though is far from pop and delivers on all fronts, from killer brutal tracks like 'Meet the Creeper' and 'Demonoid Phenomenon' to eerie numbers like 'Living Dead Girl', 'Ballad of Ressurection Joe..' and one of my personal favorites, 'Spookshow Baby'In the end Hellbilly Deluxe is a must have for any fan of White Zombie or Horror Movies and should be in heavy rotation on your CD player. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Heavy Metal    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. United States of America   

Reviews (20)

Another Midnight Syndicate disc that is a must have
"Gates of Delirium" is the CD that set the stage for the band's CD "The 13th Hour."Even though I was introduced to "The 13th Hour" first, I really enjoy this CD & it really allows you to picture the haunted asylum.Great music mixed with the minimal sounds of crazed laughter and ghostly effects, it can quickly create goose bumps all over your body.I realized after listening to it over and over again, that this is the music being used at two haunted houses in my area last fall.
Footsteps, knocks & giggles
If you want to listen to something really unsettling, try Brian Eno's "On Land".It's the creepiest thing I've ever heard - and it doesn't rely on footsteps, knocks and giggles like "Gates of Delirium" does.Sure, the music here (when it's not overblown) has its moments, but it's really just a cross between a horror movie soundtrack and a Hallowe'en special effects CD.The track "Haverghast Asylum" reminds me of an outtake from Alice Cooper's "Welcome to My Nightmare". That might have been the intention, of course, but it adds up to a CONSCIOUSLY spooky listen, not a SUBCONSCIOUSLY eerie listen like the aforementioned album by Eno.
"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."
Are you looking for that halloween music that can give you a fright?
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Subjects:  1. Electronic    2. Goth Rock    3. The masters of gothic/horror soundscape, Midnight Syndicate blends haunting classical orchestration and sounds effects to create the soundtrack for your darkest nightmare.   

Features

• Extra tracks
• Import

Reviews (34)

Hardly goth or metal...
It's amusing how quickly people slap a gothic metal tag on music these days. When I think of gothic metal something like Fields Of The Nephilim comes to mind, which is clearly a far cry both in subject matter and sound to what's on offer here.
Prog goth finds its first classic album
The album begins with a little dance in 3/4 time to start the title track, using the synthesizer to suggest Celtic flutes and horns.After four lines, the dance repeats, adding a chorus who lays down some chords in the background.Then the instrumentation goes electric, playing the same theme twice but with a hard rock feel-and a drum/bass riff added at the ends of lines 1 and 3.A series of dissonant chords on off beats set off the melody.After four chords as transition, the second instrumental verse repeats.The entire introduction conveys the sense of a Creation and evolution, with harmony, dissonance, and the entry of man's machines in the story.The music evolves nicely, introducing variations in both melody and instrumentation.
The MUSIC on this CD gets 3.5 stars the overall package gets 0
First, since I am reviewing this CD as a product, and not just the music on it, I only gave it one star. The reason for the bad rating is that this particular CD has copy protection on it, making it pretty much unplayable in EVERY player in my house ( I only have DVD players not audio CD players. ) On one of my players the disk wasn't even recognized, and on my other two ( standard home entertainment units ) the audio tracks on the CD have very loud popping sounds that happen every second or so. The software that you install on Windows ( and only Windows, no mac/linux love ) which is suposed to allow you to play this disk on a computer, plays back HORRIBLE digital audio files that are on the disk along with the audio tracks. The sound quality of these files is roughly comparable to a full song ( 5 minutes ) .mp3 that is only about 200K in size.
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Subjects:  1. Goth Rock    2. Heavy Metal    3. Netherlands    4. Pop    5. Rock   

Reviews (10)

A Masterful Musical Depiction Of A Terrifying Tome
Not long ere this time, we were taken on a journey through the haunted halls of a ruined Victiorian mansion, home of the notorious Darklore family. Now we are invited to once again pay heed to the call of Nox Arcana... masterful and peerless minstrels of the macabre, as they invite us to walk with them once more. This time our journey is into ahorrifying yet captivating musical opus depicting the pages of the mythos long ago scrawled by H.P. Lovecraft. Before you now lies, related to us in music, the ancient tome of the Necronomicon. Do you dare to open its pages and gaze upon them?
Simply Brilliant
This is a hypnotic, dark symphony that perfectly captures the mood of the Lovecraftian Mythos. Listen to this in the quiet of night and be transported (metaphorically) across the vast gulfs of space and time to where great Cthulhu lies dreaming. This is the best HPL music I have ever heard, better than the music of Eric Zann.

A musical homage to H. P. Lovecraft's famed Cthulhu.
The second release by Nox Arcana is even better than the first, Darklore Manor, which reflects on the growth of Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski.Though Darklore was quite a treat for the ears, Necronomicon is a feast for the senses.Filled with haunting and provocative music and interjected at points by the mesmerizing vocals of Joseph Vargo as he gives narratives on select individuals of the Great Old Ones and The Elder Gods; Necronomicon is a delightfully chilling piece of art.You could swear that something was manifesting behind you due to the power of this cd.Fans of both the written stories and the Call of Cthulhu roleplay game would find this album a treasure for their collection as it is a must have.Prepare to have your hair stand on end and a chill run down your spine.Not for the faint hearted. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Goth Rock    2. Nox Arcana presents a spellbinding tribute to the Cthulhu Mythos with this dark symphony based upon H.P. Lovecraft's forbidden tome of unspeakable horrors. A mixture of Gothic choirs, exotic melodies, eerie voices and otherworldly chants.    3. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (5)

Disappointing
Most of the music on this album is very good, however, the vocals and lyrics leave a lot to be desired. The vocals are distorted because let's face it, Bryan can't sing or write good lyrics. Another low point is movie samples. There is nothing more pleasant than hearing low quality samples with background noise, and static in your music. The worst song is "Lust" - same guitar riff for 3 minutes, and very uninspired lyrics. The instrumental tracks are excellent though.

Magnum Opus
Lust For Blood is easily the most diverse VAC album to date.Arguable, the best, as well.It easily outshines Hex Angel and Twisted Thought Generator.
Like a wound that won't stop bleeding...
VAC has really impressed me with this one... I was fearing it may be worse than 2003's "Hex Angel" (good album but weak for VAC standards if you ask me). I'm happy to report that this album really delivers. You will find Bryan trying all kinds of genres here (rock, synth pop, trance, EBM, industrial) and there are some real stand outs here. My personal favorites would be the 3 instrumentals: Ghost in the Circuit, Psychoactive Landscape and Ghost Regen. VAC has become something really special in the electronic music world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Dance Music    4. Electronic    5. Heavy Metal    6. Industrial    7. Pop   

Editorial Review

Ministry's followup to Read more

Reviews (71)

Ministry's best.
Psalm 69 is a pretty cool sludgy and drug inspired piece of work. I like it a lot.

The Way to Succeed...
...and the Way to Suck Eggs.That's the rest of the title, and it's accurate in its "love it or lump it" attitude: there's no in-between ground with music this intense, you're either in or out.If you think Rob Zombie could stand to be heavier, Nine Inch Nails should be a little less sensitive, or Rammstein should try to be less German, than this is exactly what you're looking for.Ministry have several damn good albums, including their last two releases, but this is their definitive statement, to be locked in a time capsule for future generations to learn how to just get angry.Hardcore enough for punks, metal enough for headbangers, and your parents WILL hate it more than your Korn CDs.

Jesus Built My Hotrod!!!!
This album simply ROCKS.Crank it up until your ears bleed!Probably the best known Ministry album and it certainly is my favorite.NWO, TVII, Just One Fix, Psalms 69, Jesus Built My Hotrod....it doesn't get any better than that.I would put this in my list of top 10 albums ever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Hard Rock    4. Industrial    5. Industrial Dance    6. Industrial Metal    7. Pop    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (182)

One of the greater HIM albums.
This is the cd that first introduced me to HIM. Although that was before it came out in the US. With this cd you get a great blend of the Love Metal HIM is known for also with slower ballads. Join Me is a great song of love and questioning what you would do for it. In my opinion Razorblade Romance is a cd any HIM fan should have in there collection.

H.I.M. is one of the GREATEST band ever!!!!!!!!!!!
This band rocks no matter what anyone says. This is another band that sticks out and sounds different. Ville has a great voice, oh hell all the members of H.I.M. rock. No one should ever say this band sucks cause this is one band that has talent.

For the HIM-obsessed only
With half the disc being less-interesting versions of songs Ville's come out with before, this disc is only for the truly hardcore-fans of HIM. I still enjoy listening to this CD from time to time, and there are some OK songs on the disc that I hadn't heard of before, but if you're looking to expand your HIM Horizon beyond "Join Me" and "Wicked Game," this disc is not for you. If you're looking to delve into remakes and a few extra newbies (which aren't as good as his typical stuff, IMHO) then maybe you might get something out of this one. But I have to say..this isn't his best one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Finland    2. Goth Rock    3. Industrial/Gothic    4. Pop    5. Rock   

Reviews (1)

Caught me off guard!
I really love this album!Sounds a little like My Chemical Romance, which I love too, but it has a sound that makes it really unique.A must buy!(The previous I Am Ghost album "We Are Always Searching" is awesome too) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (6)

Ripping review
I'm going to handle this the same was as Kiss Me and not say anything about the CD itself, what for?We all know it by heart anyway.The bonus stuff?Interesting, but hardly essential.
Its Midnight And The Crows Are Beckoning: The Cure Resurrect A Goth-Pop Classic
CD Review: The Cure - The Head On The Door: Remastered And Expanded Edition