90s GREEK COMPILATIONS VOL. II
90s GREEK COMPILATIONS VOL. II
1992, Ladies and Gentlemen, and the first compilation for this tribute is the double album "Mustang (The Rock Years)." Another meaningless rock compilation with no purpose... hahaha.
We continue with the compilation "Metalmania" from Dimitris Katis’ TV show (leader and guitarist of the band "EXORISTOI"). This compilation includes songs from RUNNING WILD, MANOWAR, HELLOWEEN, CELTIC FROST, and others. Of course, just like Dimitris Katis’ previous compilation "Classic Metal Ballads," this one also ends with what else??? Hahaha… naturally, with EXORISTOI and their song "Sinora Pantou" ("Borders Everywhere") - a pretty good song, by the way!
In 1993, we have the double compilation simply titled "Guitar Rock." Another pointless compilation featuring songs from well-known rock bands like RAINBOW, GOLDEN EARRING, J.J. CALE, IAN GILLAN BAND, etc. The difference here is that besides classic rock and hard rock bands, this compilation includes MANOWAR with "Sign Of The Hammer" and BLIND GUARDIAN with "Goodbye my Friend." Hahaha… "Guitar Rock" (On the cover you can see clearly a 5-string bass...hahahaha)… quite odd, right???
We continue with the compilation "Metal Heart," a double album of ballads… hahaha… very sentimental, lots of tears, lots of love, very "meh" and as the youth say nowadays, this compilation is very cringe… hahaha.
Another compilation (again a double album!!) is "Rock After Midnight - The Essential Rock Ballads." What’s going on with all these ballads?? Ohhh, 1993 was definitely the year of crying and love… hahaha. A pointless compilation with mainstream bands and artists.
Now, let’s get to the serious compilations of 1993. "Vinnum Dei Satanas - The Wine Of Satan." An amazing compilation released by the independent, "unknown," and short-lived label of John Hiotellis (THOU ART LORD, MORTIFY, TERRA TENEBRAE, SOULSKINNER, and others) along with the mastermind and deeply underground figure Magus Wampyr Daoloth (no introduction needed for Magus!) - Spellbound Records. Spellbound also released the promo tape "An Anthem For The Brave Ones..." by BLOOD COVERED the same year, 1993. You can also read a very interesting interview we did with BLOOD COVERED several years ago HERE. In cooperation with Dark Side Records, they released the 7" of NECROMANTIA, "From The Past We Summon Thee" in 1994.
Now, let’s talk about this obscure compilation. I first saw it at GO Underground and it made a huge impression on me because of the cover, but I didn’t buy it (how stupid I was! Now this compilation is very expensive and rare!) because of the title… "The Wine Of Satan" - I thought it was a very silly title. Anyway, in short, this compilation simply SHREDS!!! Great bands of the time like BEHERIT, CORPSE MOLESTATION, PANDEMONIUM, MASTER'S HAMMER, THE BLACK, CRUCIFIER, PERDITION HEARSE, and MORTUARY DRAPE. If I remember correctly, these songs were exclusive to this compilation until then; if I’m wrong, please correct me. A very cult compilation, highly recommended with your eyes closed!
For the end of 1993, we have another cult compilation (I bought this one back then from GO UNDERGROUND), "Metal Under... Greece Part I" (Part II was never released!). This compilation was released by "Molon Lave Records" hence it was available at GO Underground record store. It features the following 8 bands: VOID, PHLEBOTOMY, BESTIAL WRATH, LEGION OF DOOM, VORPHALAK, SELEFICE, DISHARMONY, and FUNERAL REVOLT. Most of these bands had already released 7” singles through Molon Lave Records, as well as full albums, like SELEFICE. The compilation was curated by Angelos Georgiopoulos. I’ve mentioned this man before and the fantastic work he did with his radio show (I owe him a lot for the bands I discovered through his broadcasts). He helped the Greek scene a lot with many acts, and thanks to him, bands like SAMAEL and TIAMAT played live in Athens - a real feat for Greece in the 90s. Also, check out the very interesting book he wrote some years ago titled "665 Days and One... Life METAL." The compilation "Metal Under... Greece Part I" was released on white vinyl, limited and numbered to 500 copies!
Moving on to 1994 with the compilation (again a double album!!) titled "Metal Hammer & Heavy Metal Attack." As you guessed, as the title says, it was a collaboration with the very popular magazine that was published then (and still is!). This compilation features songs from MANOWAR, SAVATAGE, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, TYGERS OF PAN TANG, DREAM THEATER, and many more. The cover is comic style, and I remember seeing it advertised once for electric guitar strings (I think for "Ernie Ball" strings - if anyone remembers, please comment below!). This compilation was released on vinyl, cassette, and CD. It is definitely the most "interesting" compilation released in 1994 by multinational record companies, as there were others which were really pointless like "The Masters Of Rock," "Hard Rock Originals," and "Slow Rock Originals."
And of course, for the finale, we keep the best!! The compilation "Beyond The Grave," released by Dark Side Records (we mentioned this label earlier, see NECROMANTIA 7"). This compilation features Greek and foreign bands such as PURGATORY, DISEMBOWEL, SADISTIC WASTE, NORDOR, REGENT, DEFAULTER, DEVISER, DEATH FROM ABOVE, CHAINED & DESPERATE, and CHTONIUM. A very interesting compilation with a great cover!
We reach the mid-90s, 1995, and as you understand, vinyl is saying goodbye while CDs have taken over - well, that actually started back in 1992...That year saw the release of the compilation titled "Classic Metal Ballads II" on triple vinyl, no less!!!
As you guessed, another compilation full of ballads and emotional songs. Then, we have the compilation simply titled "Rock Album," again featuring mainstream rock and hard rock bands with exceptions like MOTORHEAD, GIRLSCHOOL, and SAXON. This is also a double album!
And finally, we have the compilation "Metal Hammer Collection - The First Ten Years," released by Minos-EMI in cooperation with the well-known music magazine Metal Hammer. This compilation features great bands like MANOWAR, RUNNING WILD, W.A.S.P., and others. The cover is pretty kitschy, I’d say!! Hahahaha!!
In the years following up to 1999, no metal compilations were released on vinyl, so as you can imagine, people who lived through those years saw CDs dominate (it would be interesting to write an article about vinyl releases in the 90s, especially in metal!). I hope you enjoyed the volumes about the Greek compilations and found them interesting. Feel free to leave your comments below and until next time, keep the music loud and strong!!!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
