While Brooklyn might be one of the most famous of the New York City boroughs for the historic waterfront amusement park in Coney Island and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge as an entrance into Manhattan, no one should overlook the Rock and Heavy Metal scene it has cultivated through the years. Looking back, KISS is originally from the area, as are Rap Rock icons Beastie Boys, Hardcore Metal leaders Biohazard, and, last but not least, Gothic Metal pioneers Type O Negative.
Formed by Vocalist/Bassist Peter Steele with childhood friends Drummer Sal Abruscato, Keyboardist Josh Silver, and Guitarist Kenny Hickey, Type O Negative possessed a sound that was far different than anything others were doing at the time. A mix of styles, you can hear elements of Doom Metal, Alternative Metal, Gothic Rock, and even Punk Rock in the melting pot that was Type O Negative. Extremely dark but not without a sense of humor, Type O Negative knew how to create a mood without taking themselves too seriously.
Touching on themes of romance, loss, and loneliness, there was often a sensuality about Type O Negative’s slow tempo and lust for melody. Taking you into a dimension outside reality, it was all underscored by Peter Steele’s unparalleled vocals. A driving force for Type O Negative with his richly deep and emotional singing, matched with an imposing stature of 6’8” and long dark hair, Peter Steele almost felt like a mythic figure. Together, he and Type O Negative became one of the most beloved underground bands around during the 1990s.
Slowly turning on more and more audiences, by 1993’s Bloody Kisses, they had achieved a new level of mainstream success, selling millions of copies and putting Roadrunner Records on a broader international map. From here, they continued to sustain success with a dedicated, growing following, releasing albums like 1996’s October Rust, 1999’s World Coming Down, and beyond. However, sadly, Type O Negative’s story came to a tragic end in April 2010 when Peter Steele passed away at only 48 years of age.
The end of an era: Steele’s death immediately prompted the band’s dissolution, and while reports circulated that the surviving members had been offered the chance to reform Type O Negative with a new vocalist, they respectfully declined to find a fill-in for their beloved frontman and friend. Honorable, it does not mean they are not still active musically, because they are in other projects. Although Type O Negative, as we know it, will never be again. Having last released a studio album, Dead Again, in 2007, ten years before Steele’s death, they also released an interesting compilation, The Least Worst Of.
Released on June 21, 2000, The Least Worst Of is sort of Type O Negative’s idea of a greatest hits album, but considering that Peter Steele cringed at the thought of being a rock star, they went with this amusing title. At the time, it marked the band’s tenth anniversary, so, in celebration, they compiled a collection of some of their most popular songs, remixes, and two previously unreleased tracks for fans to enjoy. Unique in many ways, it is said the songs were selected by the band themselves, making it that much more genuine and personal. Amusingly enough, there is even one track of complete silence, and it works great, because again, Type O Negative had a fantastic sense of humor. Sealing the album with a bloody kiss, the cover is drenched in green, featuring a photo of the famous Coney Island parachute jump, once again proving that Type O Negative were being themselves.
With all of this in mind, the compilation peaked at number 99 on the U.S. Billboard 200 charts, which is pretty darn successful for a collection primarily made up of unreleased tracks and remixes. Put out on CD in the then-popular digipak format with a fold-out cardboard sleeve, you can tell it was itching to be an LP release, but at the time, vinyl was not yet in a resurgence. However, in 2025, the time has finally come for The Least Worst Of to make a proper premiere on vinyl.
The first-ever North American vinyl release of this Type O Negative release, it arrived on October 3, 2025, as part of Rhino’s fantastic Rocktober 2025 series. Remastered, it is presented as a 2-LP set on classic black vinyl and a lovely gatefold jacket featuring original artwork. A very high-quality pressing, the sound is deep, thick, and multidimensional in a spectacular way.
Overall, it is an excellent addition to any Type O Negative fan’s collection, alongside the 2024 Bloody Kisses vinyl reissue and the Type O Negative: Bloody Kisses graphic novel, which arrived earlier in 2025 through Z2 Comics. Proof that no one can forget this band or their music, Cryptic Rock gives the vinyl reissue of The Least Worst Of 5 out of 5 stars.
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