Type O Negative October Rust Rocktober Vinyl Reissue Review

1996 was a big year for me – I married the most perfect woman in all the land. It wasn’t without trouble and strife though; my drug use had spiraled out of control, and I was lost and out of my fucking mind. So, I leaned on my girl and music immensely to get me through it all and thankfully neither of them let me down. Without music and my new wife’s understanding and support I don’t know that I would’ve ever gotten clean. Around my birthday that year (August) Type O Negative released the most important album of their career – October Rust! Of course, my wife made sure that I got the CD, and this was when we were basically kids and didn’t have much money and the CD prices were out-fuckin-rageous!

I’m sure everyone reading this is aware of October Rust and the feelings the album carries. A summer release never really made sense to me, but I’m glad they released it then because by the time summer was dying, I could quote the lyrics of every tune on the album. There’s nothing quite like listening to this album on a cold rainy day, it’s a rite of passage and it’s something to behold. These days this album isn’t something I can listen to and really enjoy if the sun is blaring, I opt to enjoy it when the sun goes down or it’s early in the morning and the sun hasn’t peaked yet, but my favorite time is in the Fall, specifically when it’s raining and dark outside.

October Rust is filled with lush soundscapes, moody ballads and moments of heaviness that could drown even the strongest of men. Simply put, it’s a perfect album that blends Goth and Heavy Metal, this was who I always thought the band were – a perfect blend of Sisters of Mercy and Black Sabbath. In my opinion this was one of Peter Steele’s most intimate moments put on tape and he chose to share it with the world. I can only hope that there was a special lady in his life that was on the receiving end of this opus. 
 
I’m sure a lot of you are wondering why I’m babbling on about an album that was released 28 years ago. Well, that’s because the album finally got another proper reissue on vinyl, so you don’t have to take it in the shorts to have the original press, nor do you have to waste your money on a cheap counterfeit that was pressed using inferior MP3’s. I wanted to take a few moments to assure those that are interested in the recent Rocktober Reissue from Rhino Records that it’s absolutely worth the 35$ asking price. Both LPs are beautifully pressed to 140-gram weight green/black marble vinyl and there’s no static/pops/hissing or warpage to be found. The sound very much fits the music that we’ve become accustomed to hearing when listening to this album, it’s lush, warm and full just the way I’d hoped it would be. You don’t have to push the volume or adjust the bass/treble whatsoever, it’s perfect. Those of you who were on the fence about picking it up, fear not! Don’t wait too long though, this is a limited edition, it’ll be gone, and the scalpers will hurt your feelings!

As I sit here watching the rain pound the window, I’m gently reminded of all the good times that I’ve had while listening to October Rust. It also makes me a bit sad that Peter Steele has passed on - it’s hard knowing that there will never be another Type O Negative record. It’s nice to have it on vinyl so it can be fully appreciated in analog.

“I beg to serve; your wish is my law. Now close those eyes and let me love you to death”

~Black Angel