Album Review
Lets be honest with each other, somehow I doubt you actually want me to spend the time to analyze thirty eight songs and their immediate value and worth on an individual basis, so I’ve left the scores blank. The fact of the matter is if you enjoy any of the bands featured here you probably already have releases that contain a good 80% of the material on this compilation. Similarly, if you gave a damn about any of the bands who’s releases you don’t own, you’d be better sticking with getting whatever respect album these songs come from. For what it is, this is an enormously large and impressively varied compilation offering several different genres and many different overall styles of music. The problem is I don’t expect the three live songs or the six exclusive/unreleased songs warrant shelling your hard earned money
This compilations main strength comes from is hard hitting metalcore/hardcore sections featuring the infamous pomp of heavyweights Hatebreed, pop media darlings Killswitch Engage, ex metalcore gods now turned shall we say emo core Underoath, technically compelling metalcore aficionados As I lay Dying, and solid if not predictable contributions from the likes of Chimaira, Still Remains, God Forbid, Throwdown, 36 Crazyfists, A Life Once Lost, and Walls of Jericho.
Extreme metal highlights for me on this release consisted of the live version of “The Trooper” by Iron Maiden, Mastodon’s “Blood & Thunder”, In Flames “Take this Life”, Arch Enemy “Nemesis”, Opeth “The Grand Conjuration”, and High on Fire “Devilution”, yet I still walked away unsatisfied from this release considering most of these songs I didn’t care for that much the first time I heard them like the Arch Enemy or the new Opeth.
Even some tracks which could be construed as extreme metal offer little to no appeal for me as I’ve never cared for Trivium, Lamb of God, Dragonforce, and Devil Driver. Nor do I have much concern for what Lacuna Coil is doing currently.
For those of you who read this site I expect this release to pass by relatively unnoticed if not scoffed at by the extreme metal community for its more controversial inclusion of pop metal superstars ala Slipknot, Korn, and Mudvayne. Point being, if you are an avid listener of extreme music with little concern for what passes as good in the mainstream nowadays, this disc will be useful maybe perhaps as either a coaster or a gift for a little brother who’s just started to like material with growled vocals. However, if by some miracle you love these bands and have never heard these songs it is worth checking out as each performance is solid, but I’d still wait for one of your buddies to get it first. I leave it to you to decide this things relative worth.
Track Listing:
Disc 1:
1. Slipknot - Before I Forget (Exclusive mix never commercially released)
2. Korn - Liar
3. Iron Maiden - The Trooper (live)
4. Hatebreed - To The Threshold (Brand new exclusive song)
5. Mudvayne - Forget To Remember
6. Avenged Sevenfold - Burn It Down
7. HIM - Vampire Heart
8. Trivium - A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidation
9. Lamb Of God - Now You've Got Something To Die For (live)
10. 10 Years - Wasteland
11. Disturbed - Guarded
12. As I Lay Dying - Through Struggle
13. Lacuna Coil - Our Truth
14. Underoath - It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door
15. Mastodon - Blood & Thunder
16. Killswitch Engage - A Bid Farewell (live) (Unreleased on CD)
17. Black Label Society - In This River
18. Bleeding Through - Kill To Believe
19. In Flames - Take This Life
Disc 2:
1. Chimaira - Nothing Remains
2. Bullet For My Valentine - Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do)
3. Arch Enemy - Nemesis
4. It Dies Today - Severed Ties Yield Severed Heads
5. Opeth - The Grand Conjuration (Exclusive edit)
6. Norma Jean - Liarsenic
7. DevilDriver - Hold Back The Day
8. Still Remains - The Worst Is Yet To Come
9. God Forbid - The End Of The World
10. Throwdown - Burn
11. From First To Last - The Latest Plague
12. 36 Crazyfists - I'll Go Until My Heart Stops (Previously unreleased)
13. Dragonforce - Through The Fire And Flames Previouslyy unreleased in US)
14. A Life Once Lost - Vulture
15. High On Fire - Devilution
16. Bloodsimple - Sell Me Out
17. Haste The Day - When Everything Falls
18. Walls Of Jericho - A Trigger Full Of Promises (Brand new exclusive song)
19. Kingdom of Sorrow - Buried In Black (Brand new exclusive song featuring Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed, Kirk Windstein of Crowbar/Down & Derek Kerswill of Seemless)
This compilations main strength comes from is hard hitting metalcore/hardcore sections featuring the infamous pomp of heavyweights Hatebreed, pop media darlings Killswitch Engage, ex metalcore gods now turned shall we say emo core Underoath, technically compelling metalcore aficionados As I lay Dying, and solid if not predictable contributions from the likes of Chimaira, Still Remains, God Forbid, Throwdown, 36 Crazyfists, A Life Once Lost, and Walls of Jericho.
Extreme metal highlights for me on this release consisted of the live version of “The Trooper” by Iron Maiden, Mastodon’s “Blood & Thunder”, In Flames “Take this Life”, Arch Enemy “Nemesis”, Opeth “The Grand Conjuration”, and High on Fire “Devilution”, yet I still walked away unsatisfied from this release considering most of these songs I didn’t care for that much the first time I heard them like the Arch Enemy or the new Opeth.
Even some tracks which could be construed as extreme metal offer little to no appeal for me as I’ve never cared for Trivium, Lamb of God, Dragonforce, and Devil Driver. Nor do I have much concern for what Lacuna Coil is doing currently.
For those of you who read this site I expect this release to pass by relatively unnoticed if not scoffed at by the extreme metal community for its more controversial inclusion of pop metal superstars ala Slipknot, Korn, and Mudvayne. Point being, if you are an avid listener of extreme music with little concern for what passes as good in the mainstream nowadays, this disc will be useful maybe perhaps as either a coaster or a gift for a little brother who’s just started to like material with growled vocals. However, if by some miracle you love these bands and have never heard these songs it is worth checking out as each performance is solid, but I’d still wait for one of your buddies to get it first. I leave it to you to decide this things relative worth.
Track Listing:
Disc 1:
1. Slipknot - Before I Forget (Exclusive mix never commercially released)
2. Korn - Liar
3. Iron Maiden - The Trooper (live)
4. Hatebreed - To The Threshold (Brand new exclusive song)
5. Mudvayne - Forget To Remember
6. Avenged Sevenfold - Burn It Down
7. HIM - Vampire Heart
8. Trivium - A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidation
9. Lamb Of God - Now You've Got Something To Die For (live)
10. 10 Years - Wasteland
11. Disturbed - Guarded
12. As I Lay Dying - Through Struggle
13. Lacuna Coil - Our Truth
14. Underoath - It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door
15. Mastodon - Blood & Thunder
16. Killswitch Engage - A Bid Farewell (live) (Unreleased on CD)
17. Black Label Society - In This River
18. Bleeding Through - Kill To Believe
19. In Flames - Take This Life
Disc 2:
1. Chimaira - Nothing Remains
2. Bullet For My Valentine - Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do)
3. Arch Enemy - Nemesis
4. It Dies Today - Severed Ties Yield Severed Heads
5. Opeth - The Grand Conjuration (Exclusive edit)
6. Norma Jean - Liarsenic
7. DevilDriver - Hold Back The Day
8. Still Remains - The Worst Is Yet To Come
9. God Forbid - The End Of The World
10. Throwdown - Burn
11. From First To Last - The Latest Plague
12. 36 Crazyfists - I'll Go Until My Heart Stops (Previously unreleased)
13. Dragonforce - Through The Fire And Flames Previouslyy unreleased in US)
14. A Life Once Lost - Vulture
15. High On Fire - Devilution
16. Bloodsimple - Sell Me Out
17. Haste The Day - When Everything Falls
18. Walls Of Jericho - A Trigger Full Of Promises (Brand new exclusive song)
19. Kingdom of Sorrow - Buried In Black (Brand new exclusive song featuring Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed, Kirk Windstein of Crowbar/Down & Derek Kerswill of Seemless)
Danny |
posted on 4/2006 |
If i was named richard simmons, even I would not buy this piece of shit \m/
windowlicker |
posted on 4/2006 |
\m/uclehead-- I gotta set you strait. First off there are 34 members of Slipknot. And they can't be killed that easily because their costumes are bullet-proof. So are their masks as gay as they are, which makes the possibilty of head shots nearly inpossible. And I heard the band members can re-generate. Also, to even get a clear shot at them you must get through the "hot topic" teenage mutant army of pre-pubescent freaks. Watch out though, they use their pants buckles and spiked wrist bands as weapons. But if you wait until 5pm, they all go inside to eat dinner, do chores and homework, so that is the best time to attack.
Sorry dude, I am really bored at work tonight.
\m/usclehead |
posted on 4/2006 |
Poopedincloset.......I like your thinking. It would be rad if one day I woke to see on the news that the drummer from Stratovarious busted a few caps and killed the singer from Children of Bodom, or somethiong like that. Or at least if someone offed one of the 27 members of Slipknot. That would be sweet.
ipoopedinyourcloset |
posted on 4/2006 |
Sometimes I wish metal fans would solve their problems like rappers: with guns. Then there would be a lot less of you arguing over what real metal is. Everyone seems to forget that there was a time in their life where they didn't listen to metal. There are a million subgenres of metal, and there's good stuff from each. Whether it's a nu-metal album that sells a few copies, or a couple of dudes in their mom's basement with face paint making a grind album, it's metal, like it or not.
Zal |
posted on 4/2006 |
I'm so hardcore, I think this all sucks. Worship my -true- metalness.
Unreal how fast people jump on the song and band lists in these CDs. Granted, a lot of bands do have the same general style, but the diversity in some is what makes things like this, and the "Metal for the Masses" compilation a good thing. Like said in a lash before, it gives some variety, even if it can sucker a metalcore lover in with a smattering of their well-known bands.
No reason to bitch about Disturbed and Korn being on there, if you haven't accepted that people think these are metal yet, you're never going to. If Kenny G appears on it next time, then we'll talk.
As someone who enjoys everything from semi-generic nu-metal to the death, thrash, and black metal that so many pigeon-hole themselves into, I'm astonished at how often people seem to forget that it's possible to enjoy more than one genre of metal/heavy music. And hell, if not for things like nu-metal, Headbanger's Ball, and Century Media promo discs, I wouldn't appreciate the harder, more talented bands I do now.
FucBush |
posted on 4/2006 |
Christ on a cross, this is pathetic. I see only about 5 bands with any at all credability...I like how The Grand Conjuration is the "exclusive" edit version, as if anyone wants to hear that glorious songs edited...as far as i'm concerned that song is 20:42 sec. long (i have to listen to it twice its so good).
greigoroth |
posted on 4/2006 |
Take that idea one step further man: The goal of the show is to maintain your record contract. Each week bands get voted off the record label (and the show) with the eventual winner able to continue to record music... kills 37 birds with one stone... or however the expression goes these days.
Okay, I think such compliations blow goats but everyone has gotta start somewhere. I would rather see a kid listening to korn than whichever poptart who is number one on the charts for this week
Ogre_J |
posted on 4/2006 |
"...or become power and black metal fags who I hate far more than mallcore fags anyway." Come on man, mallcore fags are the worst because you see them everywhere, and I mean everywhere, while black metal fags are always hiding from the sun and in their covens and power metal fags are in their parents' basement playing D&D.
Hired Goon |
posted on 4/2006 |
4 good bands outta 38 - sheeeeiit.
Still, if you're some guy into some of the crappier bands on here, the better stuff may pull your interest away from the likes of disturbed and towards more worthwhile territory. Can anyone honestly say they started listening to Akercocke, then got into heavier stuff from there?
So I don't think I'll be buying it!
Chris Sessions |
posted on 4/2006 |
Most telling lash so far:
"..because I once bought one of these compliations (the first one) and it was partially my introduction to "darker" forms of metal. But now, I really don't see anything of worth on either of these two discs."
Good does come of these things. Well, good in the sense that you now believe you listen to "better" music. Everyonwe starts somewhere, not everyone is 25 when they do it. And anyone anywhere who sees "mtv" on the disc and wonders whether they will like it is not yet wise enough have "good" taste in music. There are a few good bands on this, so let the kids make their mistakes just like you did. Either they will figure it out or become power and black metal fags who I hate far more than mallcore fags anyway.
\m/usclehead |
posted on 4/2006 |
Korn, Disturbed, Mudvayne, and Slipknot. Fucking greeeaaaatt. There's some cool bands on here(Hatebreed, Chimaira, Lamb of God, In Flames, God Forbid, etc.), but I already own their cd's. This thing is pretty much worthless, seriously. Underoath and Bullet for my Valentine don't deserve to be on the same disc as Chimaira, and don't get me started on the nu-metal bullshit. I can't believe Korn is still around, i was hoping they'd give up after one of their members left.
Metalrocker31 |
posted on 4/2006 |
Well at least we know what to stay away from and not to listen to these stupid record lables who offer us all this lame shit. I could give a fuck less about what they offer us these days. I just go and listen to whal i like and know what is heavy and extream. And when i said to take nu-metal off Headbangers ball along with the emo, punk, and rock, i ment the likes of KORN, DISTURBED, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, SEVENDUST, ect. Keep SLIPKNOT, DRY KILL LOGIC ILL NINO, AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE, NOTHINGFACE, ect. Thats all heavy too.
Jeremy w/MetalReview |
posted on 4/2006 |
*any actual sense of quality material. These guys weren't out to expose the underappreciated heroes of the extreme music community. They're looking to make as much money as possible and in all honestly they couldn't give less of a damn about what good metal is
Jeremy w/MetalReview |
posted on 4/2006 |
Don't expect good music or from a record label thats taking it in the ass from a pop culture powerhouse like MTV. I tried to leave my personal tastes out of the review and give this thing a fairly objective crack no matter how much I hate the majority of the shit on here and over half has no business being on a metal compilation. Its to be expected.
Metalrocker31 |
posted on 4/2006 |
Im actually getting kind of sick seeing these emo/punk/rock bands being put in with metal. Why dosent Headbangers ball just do away with those non-metal bands, and make room for some more extreme stuff. After all there are some metal bands that still need to be noticed like: Akercocke, Enthroned, Dark funeral, Cripple bastards, ect. Thats wjat Headbangers ball needs. Just pure extreme music all the time. Thats all, nuff said. OH yeah PS.... Take nu-metal off there too.
Zero Tolerance |
posted on 4/2006 |
Extreme metal highlights for me on this release consisted of the live version of “The Trooper” by Iron Maiden, Mastodon’s “Blood & Thunder”, In Flames “Take this Life”, Arch Enemy “Nemesis”, Opeth “The Grand Conjuration”, and High on Fire “Devilution”
Wow...cue generic blabbermouth elitist bashing of the misuse of the term "extreme metal." I don't really have the heart to, because I once bought one of these compliations (the first one) and it was partially my introduction to "darker" forms of metal. But now, I really don't see anything of worth on either of these two discs.
I was once the sucker who bought this kind of travesty, so I can't, fairly, be the one that ridicules those that turn to MTV2 to find "extreme metal."
If any of you are considering purchasing this because you want to get into the more extreme areas of metal, then please save yourself 15-20 dollars and do a cursory scan of this site. There is a myriad of great bands and albums reviewed here and it is FREE...which isn't something I can say about this recent offering from Roadrunner Records.