Picked up a copy of Upon Desolate Sands there cheaply during a recent browse and am astonished this morning at how good it is. I'd finished with them after King of All Kings and that atrocious gig in Doran's way back when, but this is great. The material is really varied - some great leads and guitar work in general on it. Are the other records between this and King of All Kings in the same vein?

A band I could never really get into. I sen them in Whelans years ago and it was just noise. I couldn't make out the riffs at all. Just a  blast fest

I thought they were rubbish for years and years, but recently revisited I, Monarch for the first time since it came out, probably. It's very much does-what-it-says-on-the-tin DM, but it and King of Kings were in rotation a fair bit last year.

The only one I have is Fury And Flames.
It's just full on all the time, just a blur.
The mix doesn't help either.
I heard one track from Phoenix ... it was better but never bothered with the album.

Sands is their best one since the debut.

Was at that Whelans gig myself which I thought was great. It was June of either 07 or 08. I enjoy all of the albums with the first 3 being the best. Longstreth joined a few years ago it will be really interesting to hear him playing on a Hate Eternal release. Unfortunately I get the feeling that HE is now an afterthought especially since Rutan joined CC.

Funnily enough, Conquering the Thrones was the first album I put on this morning.  Only have it and Kings of all Kings.   Pretty sure a couple of people on here have recommended me to listen to a few more.  Must get round to it. 

Never liked this band. The production really put me off, and as some people said, there's no breathing room most of the time

Yep - That was my opinion. I can still recall that Doran's gig, all drums no guitar, blasts from start to finish. But  Desolate sands is a different beast altogether, much more light and shade.

As someone already said, shame that seems to be the last one. Can't blame rutan for taking the safer pay check option with Cannibal Corpse.