Monsters of Goth [3 CD Boxed Set] [BOX SET]

Various Artists - Alternative - Gothic

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 10, 1997)
• Original Release Date: June 10, 1997
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Dressed To Kill
• ASIN: B000001JKD
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #420,293 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #15 in

  Music > Alternative Rock > Compilations > Goth

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent collection of proto-goth tunes, November 13, 2001

By	Ruadhan J McElroy "musician, artist, writer, ... (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

That's about the best description I can think of for this boxed-set - proto-goth. This collection runs the gamut from Batcave (Alien Sex Fiend) to deathrock (Lords of the New Church) to the "wave with no name" (Echo and the Bunnymen) to Lydia Lunch (try categorising her music, I dare you).

This comp predates and in many ways far surpasses all three two-c.d. sets in Mick Mercer's _Gothic Rock_ collections despite having only half as many discs. Going from Bolshoi's soft almost-pop of "Lyndi's Party" to Lydia Lunch's industrial/noise opus "Stinkfist" to Faithful Dawn's oh-so-goth "Enchant Me" and Scarehead's downright fun ode to insanity, "Ha Ha" and Ghost Dance's cover of "Radar Love" this comp proves that yes, there *was* gothic rock before London After Midnight and no, it didn't all sound like Siouxsie Sioux or Bauhaus.

While the biggest "monsters" of goth on this comp are Alien Sex Fiend and Valor's incarnation of Christian Death, I think they should have chosen a different title, but oh well, like the hair metal comp of similar moniker most of these guys are Titans by association (Ghost Dance is compiled of former members of the Sisters of Mercy) and influence to the modern bands.

An excellent choice for those disoriented with modern goth music and heard all sorts of rumours about what it was like before Projekt Records.

1.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre collection - NOT Goth, December 5, 2008

By	R. Moore "sindarin tech" (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Monsters of Goth (Audio CD)

This collection was a huge disappointment to me. Not one quality track on any of the 3 CDs. The songs were heavy on the industrial influence, and the production quality of many of them seemed pretty low. If you're into traditional goth music, take a pass on this collection. Even though I bought it used, it's not worth reselling.

5.0 out of 5 stars what IS "goth"...who cares, the collection is a great find!, October 24, 2007

By	The Armored Guard (Fairfax County, VA) - See all my reviews

I got this 3-cd set for christmas about a decade ago. I've been listening to it recently and I still think its brilliant!

What IS goth, though? There are many songs on these CDs that can be lumped into other genres. Labelling music is not my point-- I'm saying that to the layman (non-goth or person not familiar with the vast, varying genre), this is still an enjoyable collection of danceable, rocking, melodious, beautiful, sad, weird and/or strange music! Dont let the word "goth" scare you away. Its not a collection of songs describing eating monkey brains or blood rituals.

I rated this item FIVE stars. You won't hear Marilyn Manson or the Cure here. These bands are mostly obscure (in the US, as far as I know, anyway) and that lends to its enjoyment.

I must say that to enjoy this collection, you must have a taste for the odd, or the lust to sail in unchartered waters that your ears may not be used to. There are some duds that even with time, I cannot grow to love, and there are others that once understood (like Nancy Sinatra's much imitated "Some Velvet Morning") are cool and impressive works. Then of course there are many songs that can take you the first time.

Here are some comments on my favorite tracks:

"Torture Me", by *i forgot* - either will incite uncontrollable laughter with your friends, or utter depression if you are alone. a mellow piano tune nicely sung by what sounds like a vampire on prozac.

"Sweet Rain", by Gene Loves Jezebel - GLJ is hardly "obscure", having charted maybe 3 good songs in the 1980's. "Sweet Rain" is live, and heavy on the reverb, but the guitars are like a series of rapid pin pricks to the arm. you cant help but become adrenalized.

"Jonestown" by Lucyfix - has actual audio of hitler ranting, and some from the doomed Jonestown community. the eerie vocals are beautifully harmonized.

"HaHa", by Scarehead - a GREAT song. its slick bass and rhythm keeps this song moving. i imagine the vocalist to be adorable. forget that she sounds a bit possessed as she taunts you and asks you to question what lies beneath your cool exterior, madness, perhaps? "Locked away/sometimes, we let them play...".

I cant imagine a goth rock collection getting better. bands of late (within the last 4 years, say) havent done it for me anymore.