Reviewed by Jonathan Langley

This is not a great compilation, but it is an excellent sampler. A good compilation (and all true music fans will have their own "mix-tape philosophy", this is just mine) should not just consist of great songs. It should be more than the sum of its parts. It should please and educate, taking you in new musical directions while letting you enjoy the ride. 'This Is Solid State 6' certainly features Christian metal and hardcore's hottest acts, but like items dumped in a poorly designed shop window, it merely shows you the goods, without selling them. Instead of pulling you in with the big, more accessible names, this comp saves Norma Jean, Underoath and Demon Hunter for the second half of the album, opening instead with the undeniably brilliant but infinitely difficult-listening tempo changes of The Chariot, followed by the Underoath-lite of Life In Your Way and the generally forgettable Haste The Day. It's a shame, really. Because with previously unreleased tracks by As Cities Burn, Far-Less and Demon Hunter Vol 6 has potential. Add to that the presence of heavyweights like extreme-metallers Becoming The Archetype; the increasingly Sabbathesque He Is Legend and the superbly heavy Inhale Exhale and you have a fine album, even if it falls short of greatness. Though this is more an advert than art in itself, it's still worth buying.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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