Straddling the line between rock and dance, Death In Vegas's 1999 release The Contino Sessions has garnered a hardcore following for heads itching for a proper - and affordable - reissue (the original goes for close to $100 on the 'scogs market). The folks at Music On Vinyl are the ones hitting it out of the park (as per usual) with this Limited Edition 20th Anniversary Edition pressing. Influenced by a wide range of genres including psychedelic rock, electronica, krautrock, dub and industrial, Contino Sessions is a slight change in direction from their debut album Dead Elvis, but Death In Vegas still maintains an intensity that's hard to shake, and even harder to shake after repeat listens. The album features some heavy hitting guest vocalists, including Dot Allison, Bobby Gillespie (founder of Primal Scream), Jim Reid (founder of The Jesus and Mary Chain) and even Iggy Pop. Moving between live rock sounds, electronica and minimal techno, this album was rightfully included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, it's a stark "concept" album that either clicks with you right away or you sleep on it and suddenly a couple years down the line you hear a track in a bar and think, "what killer album is this?" only to discover the chance to pick up a reasonably priced copy has slipped by. Tracks to check out are "Dirge," "Aisha," "Aladdin's Story," and "Broken Little Sister." For fans of The Chemical Brothers, Fluke, and others. Nine tracks in all, pressed on 180 g audiophile red vinyl housed in a gatefold sleeve with printed inners. 20th Anniversay Edition of 2,500 numbered copies. Recommended.

• Limited Edition of 2,500 numbered copies
• 180g audiophile red vinyl
• music label: Music On Vinyl 2019

reviewed by Ralphy Corduroy 1/2019