Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
The journey into the realm of the best of album release is one that is fraught with subjective appraisal, a verified list of a committee which does its finest application to look upon a seasoned work and narrow it down to what they believe is a fitting tribute to the band’s broad range of appeal and one that might spark debate within the fanbase. Quite often these releases are a demonstration in name only of what someone else considers might sell, a capitalist utopia of supply and demand that appears to only satisfy one thing-someone else’s bank balance.
It is a universal truth that every so often a best of compilation should actually defy the hollow ring statement of adding nothing of significance to the collector or the fan’s appreciation of the art they have followed doggedly for any particular amount of time.
It is a truth that follows through the woods and forests and leads to the tempting fruit that is Eden’s Curse, a quick bite of any other fruit would soon lead to eventful downfall and the bitter taste of unyielding commercialism. Not so in the hands of the members of Dream Theater, Queensryche, Leaves’ Eyes, Unisonic and Evidence One that have come together over the course of five studio albums and countless moments of authentic proving of talent and despite a hammering of heads that has resulted in a split in once close relations with others, this specific sojourn into the kingdom of compilations is to be praised for its insightfulness to the newcomer, whilst staying loyal to the way the music has carried on before it.
In the course of two CDs, a best and a best of the bonus tracks, Eden’s Curse is the enthusiast’s great fortune, no sense of blasphemy to be seen as others might be accused of swindling their fanbase of owning a set of songs already within their racks and ultimate playlists spread over many a device, this is an album which does exactly what it says on the tin, Testament-The Best of Eden’s Curse, a fanatic’s dream which conquers fears and wipes out the masks of indifference with ease.
Across songs such as Symphony of Sin, Black Widow, No Holy Man, Jerusalem Sleeps, Judgement Day, Angels & Demons, the new song included Forever, Man Against The World, Time To Breathe, Children of the Tide, Prisoner of the Past, and acoustic versions of Sail On, Fly Away, The Voice Inside and Eden’s Curse, one cannot but help want to find the orchard in which the apple of magic lurks and place a sign over it, saying bite down freely, there is no curse, only the ability to see the world through new eyes.
A testament, the musical compilation that bears witness that not all best of are a grab for power or money, in this statement laid down, all is clear that the old and new stories can sit side by side with honour and commitment.
Testament-The Best of Eden’s Curse is available to buy now.
Ian D. Hall