Danzig – The Lost Tracks Of Danzig
Unfortunately when an artist comes to a point in their career when they release a ‘Best Of’ or an album of Unreleased Tracks we start to smell somebody searching for a way out of a contractual obligation by fulfilling their demands. But that is not the case with The Lost Tracks Of Danzig. I feel that Glenn wanted to share a few special gems. Instead of a normal review here’s a track by track breakdown that might give you a bit of what you fancy as a true fan of his body of work.
Pain Is Like An Animal – This is a simple, straight forward rocking tune and a great way to start this effort that was an original SAMHAIN song that didn’t make it onto Danzig.
When Death Had No Name – This is another Samhain leftover that is a slow, brooding tune that kicks in around the 3:52 mark. This was the first time recording it and also appears as track 7 with another recorded version with different musicians.
Angel of the Seventh Dawn – This is a groovy track that has an early 70’s vibe (I hear MONTROSE / T. REX to it with a great guitar solo.
You Should Be Dying – This is one of my favorite tracks on the album that starts off on the sluggish side but turns a simple guitar lick into a groovy number that fits into this era of Glenn’s career.
Cold Cold Rain – As stated in the liner notes, this was once a leaked track that turned into one of the most requested songs to be heard and now you have your chance. It has that ballad almost doo-wop feel and chord progression but has an dark vibe similar to Whiter Shade Of Pale from PROCOL HARUM.
Buick McKane – When you hear DANZIG cover a T. Rex song you can hear some of the influence that this genre gave Glenn in his songwriting.
When Death Had No Name – Take Two. I prefer this version to the earlier offering partially because of the sounds and also that it’s tempo is a bit more solid and when they hit the double-time section, the song truly takes off.
Satans Crucifiction – This would have fit perfectly next to Twist Of Cain on the first album. Definitely a winning song title with music that sounds as if it’s from Hades.
The Mandrake’s Cry – This song should have been on the 5th album or could have been before Twist Of Cain.
White Devil Rise – This is lyrically a tough topic with a call to arms for a race war and it does not show his strongest voice in the choruses, but maybe that’s due to the layering (effects) when he shouts, “White Devil Rise.”
Come To Silver – Yes, originally written for JOHNNY CASH. This is the acoustic version that never made it due to the split with Def American. Very eerie and could have been recorded in Folsom.
Deep – I’m not really into the electronic NIN intro and the song never seems to take off.
Warlok – This song builds nicely and Glenn has a great touch to the vocals that are calming in nature. This song could have been something if more time was spent on it and possibly created a bigger sound after the chorus, and released it as a single.
End of disc one
Lick The Blood Off My Hands – This is a song I really dig with a simple groove with repetitive vocals in sing along fashion.
Crawl Across Your Killing Floor – This is a simple sounding song with a pleasing chord progression that is simple yet dramatic. The guitar leads really lend to the overall affect of this track.
I Know Your Lie – This is another standout track amongst the lost that starts with an eerie guitar chord and Glenn wailing loud n clear that he knows your lie. This has some modern chug chug guitar patterns in the verses and another great solo smothered in wah pedal effects.
Caught In My Eye – This is a cover of a track from THE GERMS with layered vocals throughout.
Cat People – I didn’t expect a DAVID BOWIE cover, but it’s a damn good choice.
Bound by Blood – This is a decent track, not the best on this album and I can see why it didn’t make the final cut as it’s a bit too long. I can see the direction that was intended for the track and maybe with the right players and time focused onto this song it could become a lot more than it currently is on this album.
Who Claims The Soulless – This should have been on the album, no doubt about it! This is a funky number with great percussive work to keep it moving.
Malefical – This sounds very retro in the introduction, BLACK SABBATH meets LED ZEPPELIN with a dirge feel but seems to never change gears.
Soul Eater – This is a great driving song as I first heard it driving down the freeway and felt the vibe from the start and it kept me moving.
Dying Seraph – Here we have another dramatic number, could have been on the album, and I really enjoyed the choruses with Glenn singing very emotional and articulate.
Lady Lucifera – This sounds like it belonged on Danzig III with a simple verse, but perhaps the song was too simple which kept it from being on an album.
Underbelly of the Beast – Track 12 on Disc Two with an electronic sound, but nothing special to this track.
Unspeakable Shango Mix – Another electronic sounding number with a bizarre feel, but falls with Track 12.
All in all, this is a 2-disc album for the true fans, yet with the quality of some of these songs Glenn may have some new followers. I was impressed with many of the songs that were left off of albums as they were true gems in his catalog.
RATING: 8 of 10
WEBSITE: www.danzig-verotik.com
LABEL: evilive
(+171 rating, 38 votes)
I actually love Deep, Underbelly of the beast and Unspeakable for their electronic sounds a lot , very cool stuff !
Standout songs for me also include Crawl across , Cold rain , Warlock ,Bound by blood.
I also really like Malefical and Cat people is a perfect song to cover ,When death had no name is also good. Dying Seraph is nicely spooky and very cool . Come to silver is excellent !