Catchy title and nice way to start off the New Year for this sometimes undercover Punk Rock label.

This comp is a definite keeper for fans of not only the So. Cal/Bay Area scene but fans of good ol' fashioned heavy Rock, Roll, and worldwide chaos.

The new and old together, made to order to feed that hunger for crafty melodic driven Rock with a heaping helping of purpose, decadence, destruction and distraction from everyday life.

Beginning first with one of Nitro's high rent district tenants, A.F.I. features prominently amongst the twenty total tracks with two album cuts, a vinyl only and highly listenable "Dream Of Waking" opener and enhanced video track for the modern Punk epic "The Days Of The Phoenix."

Along the way, stalwarts like The Damned fresh off their unthinkable "Grave Disorder" comeback, TSOL (ditto) and The Offspring, (sorry this one's old and they ain't ready to comeback from anything yet though many might wish they'd go away for good anyway) from their thirteen-year-old full length make a strong appearance.

Those clever Nitro brainstormers pulled no punches and show few selectivity deficiencies along this hour long odyssey; there's nary a weakling in the bunch, album track, rare track or otherwise.

Punkzilla makes a strong showing for the label out of the gate by additionally featuring
some brand new signees like Rufio, Stavesacre, and Divit, all with an already impressive foundation from which to build from.

Most of the existing Nitro roster is showcased twice here but some one timers worth
another go also include the impressive Son of Sam hybrid project and The Turbo A.C.'s, but we can move beyond the lackluster Original Sinners' and Guttermouth's irritating "Hit Machine."

Pointless side note: Took me about three listens to realize how much A.F.I.'s living life through classic L.A. Guns trash and glam days but hey, nothin' wrong with that considering the inarguable quality of their early work!

Stavesacre's got the pick axe and pick hit here with the bludgeoning "You Know How It
Is," not so fresh off 99's Tooth & Nail release "Speakeasy."

All in all one of the best comps you'll hear this year in any form or fashion!

Released by Nitro Records

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]
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METAL STORM PRODUCTIONS
Vinnie Apicella

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