MY DYING BRIDE / Trinity (1995)

England's other favourite sons of Doom collected together some of their early E.P.s for the Trinity compilation. Hearing them in order highlights the changes the band's sound went through, from the Death Metal (with violins) grind to the more recognisable mournful Doom (still with violins) sound they're better known for.
It's not a complete collection, I Am the Bloody Earth's B-Side Transcending (Into the Exquisite) is missing, but that's probably for the best. What is included, however, is an essential collection of previously hard to find work for any MDB fans that may have missed out before.

Songs of Note: Symphonaire Infernus Et Spera Empyrium; I am the Bloody Earth

Note: The US release got less religiously offensive cover art.

3½ silent avenues out of 5

VARIOUS ARTISTS / The Best of Peaceville (1996)

If you hadn't already guessed, it's a best of Peaceville label sampler.~ Being released back in 1996 means there's no Opeth, Akercocke, Katatonia or Darkthrone on the roster. It's dominated by the three biggest artists they had at that time: Anathema, My Dying Bride, and the gloomy Paradise Lost. There's one track from the short-lived Dominion, from an album I've yet to buy.
There's nothing to encourage existing fans to buy, but as a sampler and a snapshot of an important label for British metal, it's a great collection.

Songs of Note: MDB / A Sea oo Suffer In; Anathema / Lovelorn Rhapsody

4 vile acts out of 5