A new sampler from The End records. Although it is quite young, The End is becoming one of the most original and innovative metal labels around. I read an interview with Andreas where he specifically emphasized diversity of the label's roster and uniqueness of the bands themselves. Most of the bands you could already become familiar with from "Until The End Of Time" sampler, but there are a couple of new additions as well. In any case, here we go.

1) ODES OF ECSTASY: Hmm, this is not even metal. The song consists of heavily orchestrated, neo-classical keyboard crescendos and operatic female vocals. I guess it's an interesting way to start things off. Consider it to be an intro.

2) SCULPTURED: Weird, weird, weird. I haven't heard any of their albums, but judging by what I heard on both samplers, I can tell you for sure that these guys have changed. Their song is a unique brand of progressive metal, avant-prog-rock and who knows what else. They used a trumpet (if I am not mistaken) in one segment, too. This band is for the more artsy folks out there.

3) MENTAL HOME: Great, melodic doom with a few progressive elements. They also used a little bit of that psychedelic guitar work, akin to what Amorphis did on "Elegy."

4) LOVE HISTORY: This band is a pretty new addition to the label's roster. Again, Andreas and Sergey managed to find a very original group of musicians, from the Czech Republic this time. Love History's song can be categorized as epic, progressive death coupled with evocative, sometimes romantic, sometimes ethnic-tinged keyboards. Once again, very unique, though probably not for everyone.

5) AGALLOCH: The End's other relatively recent addition specialize in moody, dark/gothic metal which would fit in very well on a mix tape next to Katatonia, Opeth, early Ulver and such. If you are a fan of the mentioned bands, it would be a very good idea for you to get acquainted with Agalloch as soon as possible.

6) MISTIGO VARGGOTH DARKESTRA: Part black metal, part dark ambient solo project from Kniaz Varggoth of Nokturnal Mortum fame. Presented here is a fragment from this project's debut album which consists of one 70+ minute track called "The Key To The Gates Of Apocalypses." I haven't heard the whole thing, but this segment is pretty good. Dark, brooding, repetitious, it reminded me a little of Burzum, although it is not as raw or hypnotic, but more orchestral, with cosmic or, as some people like to call it, astral atmosphere.

7) SCHOLOMANCE: Another band that totally defies categorization with it's outrageous mixture of black metal vocals, progressive guitars, industrial percussion, and diverse keyboard arrangements. Check them out if you are looking for something different and innovative.

8) EPOCH OF UNLIGHT: Very technical death/black. This band is not really my thing, but I suppose they are still quite good at what they do.

9) NOKTURNAL MORTUM: Ukraine's black metal superstars have changed yet again. A track from their latest album "Nechrist" shows them stepping into the raw, but at the same time more epic and consummate direction with very strong and realized Slavonic folk influence.

As you can see, diversity, originality and, of course, talent is what counts in The End camp. More power to them!

© 2000 boris