Best Of Coal Chamber, The [PA] - Coal Chamber > Reviews > An Impressive Compilation from the LA Quartet

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Fantastic undergroun, down - tuned feel
Disadvantages:	Vocals not to everyones taste

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Coal Chamber have been influenced by a strange variety of goth, hip hop and hardcore, all of which come across in this very well chosen 'Best Of' album. Since their forming in LA back in 1994, the band have stayed at the forefront of nu and underground metal, describing themselves as 'spookycore'. Their originality has remained unchallenged, and this record certainly portrays all of these traits.

This record is part of 'The Roots of Roadrunner Records Series', and opens with the blistering track 'Loco' (still remaining my personal favourite Coal Chamber song). It moves on through a hypnotic mix of underground, down-tuned riffs and bass lines, the drum and bass pumping throughout. Famous track 'Sway' (many know it as 'The Roof is on Fire') appears as the fourth track, before the album moves on from the bands debut album and into their later work.

As Coal Chamber progressed, their music became more complex, using different instruments and techniques, as well as drawing influence from other areas of music. However, they have never strayed from their metal roots, and so fans of the genre will not be disappointed as the album proceeds through their second and third albums (Chamber Music and Dark Days).

'Tyler's Song', thought of by many as Coal Chamber's catchiest and most melodic track, is track 8, followed by a selection of tracks from Coal Chamber's final album 'Dark Days', certainly a more refined and mature sound than the bands previous works.

This 'Best Of' record holds a good selection of songs from across all three albums, and certainly displays how the band progressed from their earliest recordings to their later ones, whilst keeping to the metal genre throughout. Emotional, thoughtful and slightly angry lyrics, but also with a touch of hope, keep Coal Chamber from dropping to a depressing level, and lead singer Dez Fafara's whispers, bellows and growls are sure to please fans all the way to the last note on 'One Step'. A good compilation.