Various Artists
Raw - A Brainstorm Compendium
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
These two compilation albums (out of four) that Brainstorm has released each include a cut off the new Deliverance album -- River Disturbance. This makes the disk a sneak-preview as well as a chance to get some of the classic Brainstorm catalog songs on CD. Raw has "Belltown," another heavy Queensryche does Saviour Machine special from Jimmy Brown and Co. The lyrics tell a sad tale of destruction, where "the needle finds daddy's arm again."
Classic tunes like "Finger Pointer" and "Devil Metal" from Nobody Special show up here, as well as making sure the public is aware of how great XL & DBD's album was.
Rock includes "I Thought" by Deliverance, a brooding tune with very cool percussive licks. The band shows a further progression of their cool original sound. Collector's tunes on this one include a few 77's gems from Sticks & Stones, and "What's the Buzz?" -- the Jesus Christ Superstar cover by Nobody Special.
With two "Buy Four Get One Free" coupons on these disks, it makes for an even smarter buy.