ASPERA HIEMS SYMFONIA / CONSTELLATION / MY ANGEL

"Aspera Heims Symfonia/Constellation/My Angel" is a compilation album by Norwegian symphonic black metal act Arcturus. It was released through Candlelight Records in June 2002 and features of a re-mastered version of Arcturus debut album "Aspera Heims Symfonia (1996)", the "Constellation (1994)" EP, the "My Angel (1992)" EP/single, and two previously unreleased tracks in "The Deep Is the Skies" and "Cosmojam".

The sound quality has greatly improved on the remastered version of "Aspera Heims Symfonia (1996)" so if you´re a fan of that album this 2 CD compilation album might be worth investing in. In addition to the new remastered version of "Aspera Heims Symfonia (1996)" it´s also a treat that the tracks from the two pretty rare EPs "Constellation (1994)" and "My Angel (1992)" are included here. The first was limited to only 500 copies upon original release and I´m sure the latter was pressed in about a similar number of copies. The two unreleased tracks, which are included on the compilation are in the same style as the tracks on the "Aspera Heims Symfonia (1996)" album. While "The Deep Is the Skies" is a "regular" sounding black metal track "Cosmojam" is a short atmospheric keyboard driven track.

The idea to release "Aspera Heims Symfonia/Constellation/My Angel" is overall good initiative as it gives the fans an opportunity to listen to the early and quite rare recordings by Arcturus and a remastered and better sounding version of "Aspera Heims Symfonia (1996)". The original really needed a remaster. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.