UMUR "The Dark Sides" is an EP compilation by multi-national heavy metal act King Diamond. The EP was released through Roadrunner Records in November 1988 (Just two months after the release of the band´s 3rd full-length studio album "Them"). King Diamond were riding a high at this point in their career, and felt the time was right to release a compilation.

"The Dark Sides" features 6 tracks and a full playing time of 20:48 minutes. The EP opens with "Halloween", which had previously been released on the band´s debut full-length studio album "Fatal Portrait (1986)" and on the eponymously titled single from the same year. "Them" is a short instrumental and the title track from "Them (1988)". So the first two tracks don´t bring anything new to the table, if you´ve already got the studio albums. "No Presents for Christmas" was on the other hand, at the time "The Dark Sides" was released, a more rare track, as it had only been feautured on the eponymously titled single from late 1985. "Shrine" is the next track on the EP, and it was originally released as the B-side to "The Family Ghost" single from 1987. "The Lake" follows and it was originally released as one of the B-side tracks on the 1986 "Halloween" single. "Phone Call" closes "The Dark Sides". It was previously released as the B-Side to the 1988 "Welcome Home" promo single. It´s a leftover track from the recording sessions for "Them (1988)", which wasn´t included on the album.

"The Dark Sides" is upon conclusion a nice little compilation, featuring a couple of rarities, but also a couple of more redundant tracks. There´s for example not much reason to include "Halloween"... and "Phone Call" is a bit redundant too, as it´s basically just a short spoken word/horror effects type track, but overall the quality is still high enough to warrant a 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating.

Andy "The Dark Sides" is a good compilation. Short but good.If "Halloween" and "Them" are from "Fatal Portrait" and "Them", "No Presents for Christmas" is a single track (and as bonus track on limited edition of "Fatal Portrait"), "Shrine" is another single track (and as bonus track on limited edition on "Abigail")as "The Lake" is another single track (and as bonus track on limited edition on "Fatal Portrait". "Phone Call" is a previously unreleased track (this is only a fake phone call between King and his grandmother).

The music is good, obvioudly. Typical 80's Heavy Metal with good melodies and power. In my opinion is an excellent addition to a good 80's Metal collection or if you love Traditional Heavy Metal. But is clear that "The Dark Sides" isn't a compilation that introduce King Diamond in a good manner. Notwithstanding, because it also contains rare songs, And because is a good sidekick during a driving trip i think that this Ep/ compilation is good. But not essential.