Deliverance can be noted as two separate bands, really: the early Speed Metal Deliverance, and the Gloomy Art Metal Deliverance. The progression from one to the other was subtle, but noticeable.
A Decade of Deliverance, the "greatest hits" package from 1995, documents this evolution of this pioneering band. The CD features tunes from the "speed metal" era ("Victory", "No Time", "The Call", "Flesh & Blood", "This Present Darkness", "After Forever", "Prophet Of Idiocy"), the "gloomy art metal" phase ("Words To The. . .", "Ramming Speed", the live-in-studio version of "Stay Of Execution", "Learn", "Desperate Cries", "Sanctuary"), a previously unreleased tune foreshadowing the transition of the former to the latter ("Rescue", recorded during the Weapons of Our Warfare sessions in 1990), along with pictures and commentary on the songs by Deliverance's main man, guitarist and vocalist Jimmy P. Brown III.
As a "best of" collection, A Decade of Deliverance is decent. Those of you who have heard of this band and wish to view a cross section of their work will benefit from getting this disc. Many fans (myself included) will say that this falls somewhat short. I would have, personally, liked to see maybe some live cuts, a couple of tunes from the ultra-rare Greetings of Death demo from way back in the day, maybe some alternate versions of songs (the polka version of "What A Joke". . .hah!). Oh, well. Still a decent primer for those seeking to know something about this worthy metal band.
7/10
More from Deliverance
1993Intense Live Series Vol. I
2000Back In The Day: The First Four Years
2001Greetings of Death Etc.
1989Deliverance
1994River Disturbance
1991What a Joke
