Legacy of Brutality

The Misfits are a legendary New Jersey horror-punk band that recorded a slew of singles, EPs, and albums that would have likely disappeared into obscurity had not Rick Rubin heard something he liked in singer Glenn Danzig and had not Metallica and Guns N' Roses covered The Misfits' songs and wore their T-shirts. So little care was taken of The Misfits' legacy during their original 1977-1983 run that the albums that do sum up the group's career are a mess of odd choices, remixes, and re-recordings. Many songs here are alleged to have parts re-recorded by Danzig. (Heck, "Who Killed Marilyn?" was a Danzig solo record.) Production and performances, however, were never what The Misfits were about. Their raw, messy sound was part of their appeal and a main reason why punk rock of their era is considered superior to the latter-day stuff where professional studios tidy up the rough edges. The versions and mixes here of "Angelf**k," "Where Eagles Dare," and "Halloween" rank among the band's best work.