VARIOUS

It's got to the point where I cringe at the term "female fronted metal". It's a rant which I've exercised on more than one occasion within the pages of Metal Discovery. Why is a "male fronted metal" label never deployed to describe the former's antithesis? Why do journalists feel the need to genderise music in this way at all? Surely all music should be judged on its own merits and free from the biological sex of those who've created it. Worst of all is the bad, bad, bad misconception in recent years that there actually exists a genre of "female fronted metal". Nothing could be further from the truth. This double CD compilation, 'Beauty And Brutality' will perhaps serve as a wake-up call to the misguided who still con themselves that "female fronted metal" is a genre of music for the juxtaposition, or rather contraposition, of metal's many disparate stylings have been collected here in 31 tracks, albeit all featuring female vocalists, and will hopefully dispel such a misconception through such diversity. Maybe it will simply reinforce the myth for some but, whatever the case, this collection indubitably offers value for money retailing, as it does, I believe, for £9.99. Securing big names to open up each disc - Epica on one and ReVamp on the other (the latter being Floor Jansen's post-After Forever outfit for those who are unaware) - is a wise move as it will no doubt grab the attention of those browsing the compilation's contents, which are largely comprised of lesser known names of both signed and unsigned bands from around the world. Out of all the cuts that will greet your ears, for me, it's the Dutch who shine here with Magion and Ex Libris the standout tracks. And this compilation is worth supporting every inch of the way as all proceeds from sales are being generously donated to Cancer Research UK. Also worthy of note (providing you're not reading this review many moons after it has been published), there will be a CD launch party for the compilation on Halloween night, that's 31st October, in Eddie's Rock Club, Birmingham. Get yourselves down to support both a good cause and well compiled collection of music. This scores nine both for the value for money and the cause.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Femme Metal

Album

BEAUTY AND BRUTALITY

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

72:08 & 68:00

RELEASE DATE:

25th October 2010

TRACK LISTING

CD1: ReVamp - "Head Up High"; Exilia - "No Tears For You"; DAMA - "Rainy Roads"; Magion - "War Of Hearts"; Soulmaker - "A Vide"; The Mary Major - "Morning Sickness"; Disdained - "Longing For Serenity"; Asrai - "Stay With Me"; Crownless - "Lost Inside"; re-Vision - "Shapeless"; Infinite Tales - "Running Away"; One Without - "Withered Serenade"; Aperion - "Shine"; Reactive Black - "Thoughts"; Apparition - "Elysium"; Ex Libris - "Destined"; Triaxis - "Gates Of Damnation"
CD 2: Epica - "Unleashed"; DEADMANSWAKE - "Back To Blood"; Vanity Ink - "Smell The Party"; Seven Kingdoms - "Somewhere Far Away"; & more...

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Various

"...a wake-up call to the misguided who still con themselves that "female fronted metal" is a genre of music for the juxtaposition, or rather contraposition, of metal's many disparate stylings have been collected here in 31 tracks...and will hopefully dispel such a misconception through such diversity."