The malicious mini-series lasted from '83-'87, ending as mysteriously as it began yet it effectively bridged what would've been an enormous gap to have existed from Misfits to Danzig -- yet it all ties together fashionably well -- for those charter members of this doomed skeletal society. The themes… the imagery… the rage and power… and yet Samhain's music, for all of three records, "Initium," "Final Descent," and "November-Coming-Fire," remains a bold interpretation of the doomed and complex world in which we find ourselves… the braintrust of Danzig, founder, firebringer, and harbinger of horror who willfully gives this recent box set his blessing.

The collection comes nearly a decade and a half after the band, which also featured future Danzig member Eerie Von handling the bass duties -- and worth a quick peek in the enclosed booklet to see Mr. Von's shorn locks and ghastly early appearance! The set features, first and foremost, the blood and guts of what Samhain was all about and what they managed to sear onto vinyl back in their day… the three underground classics, set here as mini-albums complete with cardboard sleeve and complete tracklisting. The sound strayed little among the three recordings -- the song titles, lyrical abuse and torturous instrumentation all equally glowing embers amidst chaos and carnage.

"Initium," the first recording was probably as close to a Misfits sound as any of the above and perhaps for obvious reasons stemming from its time of arrival, but as tracks like "Samhain," "Black Dream," "All Murder, All Guts, All Fun," and "Horror Biz" can testify, there was little room for debate -- it wasn't pretty and it wasn't pleasant… and say hello to the future symbolic skull that figures prominently on all things Danzig from this moment on.

"Final Descent," sent "Night Chills" up our spines at the time of its arrival and featured a blurred front cover image of the maniacal lead singer, known for thrashing fits and predatory skills atop the stage -- this one's noteworthy for maintaining the similar grinding knife-edge rhythms and darkened intent but would also yield future Danzig classics as "Twist of Cain" and "Trouble," originally done by Leiber/Stoller eventually to turn up on the Danzig live EP "Thrall Demonsweat."

"November Coming Fire" would be the final Samhain studio recording and while there is a noticeable difference in recording clarity -- highly superior to the others (think back to The Misfits' "Earth A.D." and "Walk Among Us" for reference) -- and still with an unsettled tone, this one was slightly more versatile -- still hard on the senses, demonically conspiring, and dynamically more musical.

"To Walk the Night," "Birthright," and "Let the Day Begin," bore close resemblance to the power of the past only with a more anthemic quality -- this one also features "Halloween II," the follow up to The Misfits' holiday classic! Collectable extras include a previously unreleased six track recording called "Unholy Passion" featuring hideous cover art and an even creepier version of the old "All Hell Breaks Loose," simply titled "All Hell," as well as a live disc of the band in its prime covering two vintage shows from New York and Chicago featuring all the classics -- different setlists for added variety. And for anyone that thought their studio work was hard on the ears, brother, you ain't heard nothing yet!

The box set reveals not only the advanced Punk Rock musical wanderings of this unique entity that was Samhain but also of the devious mastermind behind it all -- Glenn Danzig, writer, performer, distorted visionary behind a thrilling, yet disturbing comic series of which we're allowed a quick glimpse into here. Excessively Rock & Roll with the usual twist, here we find the band captured shortly before they hit the stage, revealing the not-so-extra-curricular activity behind the scenes, but alas poor child, she knew not what she was in for… and we'll just leave it at that!

Finally, an up close and personal video is included in the set which finds the band in its most comfortable setting-hitting the stage, smashing things, rousing rebellious unrestrained from the throngs of spastic onlookers, awestruck and ardent, how they follow along the words to every song will remain a mystery that I'll take with me to my early grave.

The uni-directional camera shot for the first half of what amounts to be a handful of scattered appearances gets really monotonous after a while, but you'll endure because this is what it's all about -- band, audience, intimate setting, sweat, rage and the work of the Devil!

The later shows as further video documentation reveals were much improved simply because of broader viewing parameters and a meatier sound. But this is the keeper -- capturing the essence of Samhain in the live setting, something many may have been lucky enough to witness over again not so long ago for what I believe was a holiday reunion of some sort.

Last but not least, a killer booklet featuring commentary from band members past and present including some words from the inimitable one, along with gore-filled color photos, action sequences and enough bizarre imagery to keep Lucifer himself in stitches until well past his next scheduled appointment with world apocalypse.

This latest Samhain collection tells the whole story of this legendary band that played such an important role in the development of the many Punk Rock, Horror and Doom acts that would follow. Their own footsteps were not always of the direct path to reach their ultimate destination, but perhaps that's what's so endearing about them in that they were anything but formulaic or simple. The Rock world never knew anything like them then and isn't likely too anytime in the foreseeable future -- a one of a kind Hell-spawned creation that gets better with age and their infamy, so long destitute, and at long last dug up from the earth to reveal something wretched and wicked and that no true fan will want to do without.