Thrashback Records' The Record of Armageddon compilation is a heartfelt concept on the surface. Thrashback Records owner Eric Hoffman, digging through an old box of fanzines comes across The Book of Armageddon penned by the inimitable Ed Farshtey and decides to release a compilation record similar to the old compilations put out in the 80's to spread interest in new bands. The release would be called, well, The Record of Armageddon. Eric and Ed would each pick half the bands and Farshtey would write liner notes about each band. Collaborative efforts aren't uncommon, but I can't think of a similar release to this end at all. It's a bit original, and it's a bit unique, and these days, these are attributes in short supply. Initially, my biggest interest in this release is really the fact that it's something Ed Farshtey - who I personally know - is involved with. After listening, that is still my main interest in the record.
Otherwise the tracks picked don't offer much in the way of repeat listens. This is not like the legendary Metal Massacre compilations where almost all the tracks were as essential listening then as they are now. This isn't like From The Megavault which includes the only Imperious Rex track in existence that I can find and surrounded by obscure classics each worth their own wax. This isn't Born To Metalize, the only place you'll find tracks from Tortured Dog and affordably own tracks from The beast. This isn't the early Relativity / Earache Promo samplers from the early 1990's with iconic tracks from basically every band on the label. Instead, we are given a compilation which features no exclusive tracks (I don't consider an exclusive remix all that exclusive), two tracks previously released on other Thrashback Records' releases, and modern tracks from bands with older pedigrees. The songs aren't good enough to warrant spinning the whole compilation on it's own.
False Prophet open the compilation with generic death metal blasting in "Prayers of Emptiness". Schizophrenia's track is decent Death and Possessed worship with a hint of thrash and their inclusion of "Perpetual Perdition" is my favorite on this compilation. I am not clamoring to go out in search of their full length, Recollections of the Insane, at this very second, but it's a strong track. Amboog-a-lard and Solstice follow with tracks I've covered elsewhere and the presence of them here does little to change my original thoughts about the tracks. Side B yields Yellowtooth's "Atrocity", solid if uninspiring sludge, Divine Treachery's "Patterns", an interesting bass-forward modern thrash composition that might elicit several listens before wearing out it's schtick, Swedish Groove metal band Methane with "Declare Chaos", a politically charged cut, and finally "Flesh and the Digital", B-League material from Luna in Sanguinem which fails to impress.
Once again, Thrashback Records is trying to do interesting themed releases and compilations. The packaging is really nice, as is all of Thrashback Records' releases. Included is a glossy reprint of the The Book of Armageddon's cover and an insert with thoughts on each band by Ed Farshtey himself. My promo copy came with a certificate of authenticity, which is really above and beyond. Ultimately, though, I can't help but feel that there just isn't much interest in these compilation formats. I can't think of a single time anyone has ever asked me if I have listened to the newest so-and-so compilation from such-and-such label. Is there really a clamor for this type of material? I've given this compilation plenty of air time and don't see myself returning to it. The same thoughts occur to me for compilations like those from Metal on Metal records, etc. Other than Schizophrenia, I am more likely to pass by these bands now than before hearing their tracks here. I guess you could call this compilation a failure, then, in terms of advertising new bands. For the optimists out there, you could call this a successful compilation by warning listeners what to steer clear of. I'd only recommend this to fans of modern groove-oriented death and thrash metal who still listen to compilations. Where that audience is, though, I'll never know.
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