2-CD - Cat. no: EJ 69LP)
Hall Of Mirrors' - Various Artists (Emperor Jones)
2-CD - Cat. no: EJ 69LP)
From Aural Innovations #36 (May 2007)
As for most of those various artists CD releases flooding the market these days
by punk, metal, pop or even alternative bands I'll usually pass on them altogether.
But, 'Hall Of Mirrors' is an exception because it features twenty-two space
rock and progressive bands on two CD's - for the price of a single disc. Beat
that. Disc one is fantastic, opening with your typical Kinski track, "Teen
Center", then the good, strong well-written cut by Finnish space merchants,
Circle with "Kuonopaivaa", the heavy way-out-there (with plenty of
feedback) Gravitar's "Maybe Ben Hur", the wailing ST 37's "They
Time", the superbly done "The Somnambulist Speaks" by Vocokesh
and the total ass-kicking Farflung piece "These Clouds Are Solid".
I tell you, it rarely gets better than this.
Disc two is pretty much just as outstanding. Starts off with Sub-Arachnoid's
"S.F Eagle" which is their heaviest tune I believe I've ever heard
by them. Other highlights include Fuzzhead's psyched-out "Remember The
Avalon" , the quite inventive Escapade gem "4' 33", another full-throttled
head-tripping Acid Mothers Temple exclusive "Fire Walk With Us", Abunai's
stellar "Our Wayward Fuel" ( was nice to finally hear another song
from this American space rock ensemble) and the in-your-face cosmic rocker "Fall
River Mills" by Transpacific - a band that I've never even remotely heard
of before. Think I'd like to hear more from this artist. Fans are sure to fully
enjoy many spins with this release in the years to come. Gets better each time
you play it. So highly recommended, that it almost hurts.
Reviewed by Mike Reed
Visit the Emperor Jones web site at: http://www.emperorjones.com/