WHEN ALL IS SAID

"When All Is Said: The Best of Edge of Sanity" is a compilation release by Swedish death metal act Edge of Sanity. The compilation was released through Black Mark Production in October 2006. The compilation is a two disc release, featuring a best of compilation on disc 1 and the two full "Crimson" albums ("Crimson (1996)" and "Crimson II (2003)") in slightly edited versions on disc 2 (edited to make them fit on the limited 80 minutes CD format).

Each of the four albums leading up to "Crimson (1996)" plus the "Until Eternity Ends (1994)" EP, are represented by two tracks per release. The same is the case with "Infernal (1997)" and "Cryptic (1997)", so "When All Is Said: The Best of Edge of Sanity" is more or less the definitive best of compilation by Edge of Sanity. At least in terms of introducing the listener to each of the most significant releases in the band´s discography. With compilations it´s always up for discussion if the best songs were chosen for the tracklist and there are naturally a couple of gems missing here, but on the other hand there are also Edge of Sanity classics like "Enigma", "Twilight", and "Lost" featured on the album, so those who compiled the release, have chosen to add quite a few of the most important tracks too.

Upon conclusion "When All Is Said: The Best of Edge of Sanity" is a compilation which does what it´s intended to do, and I´m sure new listeners will come away with a feeling that they´ve had a proper introduction to Edge of Sanity. To the rest of us, who already own every release by the band, this compilation probably doesn´t make much sense purchasing, but viewed as an individual entity it serves it´s purpose well and a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)