PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
The 69 Eyes are a dark gothic rock band from Finland, formed in 1989 in the bars of Helsinki they started out playing sleazy rock inspired by bands such as Hanoi Rocks and Motley Crue. Fairly early in their 25 year career the band allowed influences from gothic bands such as The Mission, The Cult and The Sisters of Mercy to creep into their sound making it what we know today.
The Best Of Helsinki Vampires is a two disc set brimming with 28 tracks paying homage to a quarter of a century of album and single releases. The compilation represents perfectly and tastefully selected spread of their back catalogue, in fact I find it hard to disagree with any of the choices they have included from each album. As a bonus there is the digitally released ‘Rosary Blue’ which is a powerful duet featuring Kat Von D, and brand new track ‘Lost Without Love’ which is a from the heart song about real situations Jyrki 69 has been through.
It is very likely existing fans will already have a copy of ‘Framed in Blood’, a best of from 12 years ago, so will be asking themselves what this release offers over and above that. There is understandably going to be tracks that are on the previous compilation from the early years although I found tracks such as ‘Brandon Lee’ and ‘Gothic Girl’ had a little bit more clarity especially in the low end on this release. However it goes without saying that this is the best and most up to date collection of The 69 Eyes works available, and one I would recommend to any fan of their entire career.
Having so many albums to choose from it can be daunting for new listeners to decide which they should start with, and for that purpose The Best Of Helsinki Vampires is perfectly suited. The double CD is priced very keenly in the UK and you are getting a lot of music for your money, so in my opinion it goes firmly into ‘No Brainer category.
The Best Of Helsinki Vampires is out now in the UK on Nuclear Blast records.
Track List
Disc: 1
1. Lost Boys
2. Perfect Skin
3. Brandon Lee
4. Lost Without Love
5. Feel Berlin
6. The Chair
7. Dead Girls Are Easy
8. Radical
9. Tonight
10. Dance D’amour
11. Borderline
12. Rocker
13. Dead ‘N’ Gone
14. Rosary Blue (Feat. Kat Von D)
Disc: 2
1. Never Say Die
2. Gothic Girl
3. Betty Blue
4. Sister of Charity
5. Love Runs Away
6. We Own the Night
7. Red
8. Devils
9. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
10. Wasting the Dawn
11. Kiss Me Undead
12. Crashing High
13. Stolen Season
14. Ghost
- 9.99
