Various - Surrender To Death: A History of the Atlanta Metal Underground 1982-1999 Vol.1 2LP

A region-centric compilation where you don’t know a single band on either disc is a scary proposition, but ‘Surrender To Death: A History of the Atlanta Metal Underground 1982-1999’ is a rewarding one.

Spanning the gamut of suburban Judas Priest worship into Thrash into the Black and Death Metal underground, what makes this comp homogeneous (other than the ATL focus) is the charismatic, doing-the-best-with-what-we’ve-got production decisions. Never generic, sometimes downright eccentric, or with a good dose of garage band charm.

While I Ilike the cover art, the inner gatefold and liner notes better visually reflect the sound within. More of a one-colour, photocopy of a photocopy, crudely rendered affair. Sorry to get a bit graphic designer-y. Anyway… great record! - Nic