Suicidal Final Art (2001)

"Having rightfully decided to go their separate ways rather than attempt to surpass the stunning death metal masterpiece "Slaughter Of The Soul" (1995), Sweden's At the Gates were given their last rites with 2001's "Suicidal Final Art" collection. Comprising highlights from their entire four-year, four-album run, the album serves as a fine introduction to the overachieving Swedes, whose dull early exploits in no way predicted the amazing evolution which followed. After dispensing with the few highlights from their modest debut, the album spends a surprising amount of time on the band's rather underwhelming second effort, "With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness". Album three, the much-improved "Terminal Spirit Disease", is also well-represented, but rightly so, leaving little room to display the band's absolute masterpiece named above. But this is just as well, as "Slaughter Of The Soul" was the kind of tour de force which is best experienced in its entirety for full impact." (Eduardo Rivadavia, Allmusic)