Bunker 66 – Portraits of Dismay (Blackened Autobiographical Death Rock)
Normally, I avoid compilations. I get the point, but I don’t like them, I want something new. Okay, so the way around that is typically a band or label will add new tracks or something, but they’re most often covers so why TF bother? But, when you put in there rarity whether early demos that are rerecorded with better production or rare cuts from limited splits and such, well, okay, a compilation is fine then. Bunker 66 have gone above and beyond my requirements for that, however, with Portraits of Dismay. Not only is the cover one of the best I’ve seen in my entire life, but there’s a sampling here that provides a concise picture of the band from their earliest to their most recent sound. Damn this is good. I feel like I’ve known them my whole life.
Tons of previous material in one special release? It’s been done before and this time with some covers (ugh) tossed in, but I’ll let those go as much as they annoy me because there’s just so much here it’s unbelievable. Luckily, it never gets tiresome, which reveals how exceptional this band is. Portraits of Dismay covers an amazing twelve years of the Bunker 66’s prolific output over fifteen separate tracks (not including the three covers). Though there is a slight difference in production to each selection, as would expected from multiple split takes, they keep their grim energy consistent, yet not exhaustingly so. You’d think after five tracks of this stuff it would grow moldy to the ears, but man do these guys melt faces. The approach is old style in many ways, yet the echoing, ghoulish vocals and drive make it far more modern. Add some rallying cries, shrieks, ripping solos and prepare for war!
Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls
Bunker 66 – Portraits of Dismay
Dying Victims Productions
Cover Art: Claudio Elias Scialabba
4.5 / 5
