Metal Reviews

Roadrunner United - The Dagger (Unmastered)

I gotta admit, I’m not yet sold on this whole concept, but Robb Flynn wrote a pretty killer fucking tune here!! For those that don’t know, Roadrunner decided to put together this “all-star” compilation CD where 57 Roadrunner artists—from 45 bands—past and present—got together on one CD. Robb Flynn (Machine Head), Matt Heafy (Trivium), Joey Jordison (Slipknot) and Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory) are the four musicians who have written the songs for the CD, each will feature a different singer(s). Anyway, with four different writting styles I question how consistent the CD will be overall, but after hearing this song I’m definitely more optimistic, at least for the songs Robb has written.

This song features:

Robert Flynn (Machine Head) - rhythm guitar/vocals
Andols Herrick (ex-Chimaira) - drums
Howard Jones (Killwitch Engage) - vocals
Jeff Waters (Annihilator) - lead guitar
Jordan Whelan (Still Remains) - rhythm guitar
Christian Olde Wolbers (Fear Factory) - bass

Website: http://www.roadrun.com

I wanted to be impressed (I really like Howard Jones), but I wasn't.

Pretty generic and chugga-chugga. It's not bad, but I'm definitely not impressed.

Generic??? :shock:

Ugh, Roadrunner doesn't really have much in the way of talent..

Type O Negative are great fun, and then Fear Factory and Opeth are solid and Dresden Dolls are.. interesting.. :?

I don't think I'll even be giving this one a chance, sounds like it's going to be a second-rate melodeath/asscore comp.

Why is this in the Prog Power forum?

This is the Heavy, Prog, Power & True Metal Warriors, this song clearly falls under Heavy. At least that's what I think, therefore, to me, it's in the right forum.

Don't ever question me again!!! :evil:

Yes Masta!

Shine ya shoes fo a dolla?

Not Impressed..

No, but while you're down there...

Sounds like another "Probot" to me.... there's no way there can be any consistency on something like this. Although King Diamond is set to appear on one track and that will probably be the only one worth hearing (to me).

Consistency is exactly the problem that I see this CD having. If they group the songs by writer, then it will probably be easier to listen to as opposed to the songs being in random order. Then, of course, you run into the issue of the singer. Tim from Vision Of Disorder/Bloodsimple sings in a completely different manner than even Howard Jones, imagine his tracks stacked up against King Diamond?? It won't sound right.

This song doesn't really fit in this forum, but since this thread is already here I figured I'd keep it all together!

I knew I wouldn't really like this song!! I hate these kinds of vocals, I like the music, though, and I am impressed that Joey Jordison actually wrote it. That is surprising, to say the least! You guys may like it, though.

Roadrunner United - Annihilation By The Hands Of God

This song features:

Glen Benton (DEICIDE) - vocals
Matt DeVries (CHIMAIRA) - rhythm guitar
Rob Barrett (CANNIBAL CORPSE, ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION) - rhythm guitar
James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY)- solo
Steve DiGiorgio (TESTAMENT, SADUS) - fretless bass
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums

Roadrunner United - The End

First thought? "Sanitarium" by Metallica! Decent song, though, it's catchy, but it's very much like a heavy, alternative rock song. Here's the problem with these songs: inconsistent. We knew this was going to happen anyway. I'm not saying the songs won't be quality, but the fluidity of the disc is in serious question.

We'll see, though. So far this CD is 2 for 3 with me.

This song features:

Matt Heafy (Trivium) - vocals
Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory) - rhythm guitar
Nadja Peulen (ex-COAL CHAMBER) - bass
Roy Mayorga (ex-SOULFLY, MEDICATION, THORN)- drums
Logan Mader (ex-MACHINE HEAD, SOULFLY) - melodic guitar harmonics
Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY) - keyboards, programming

Roadrunner United - In The Fire

Pretty good song. I'm not a fan of King Diamond's vocals. I think, if anything, this song shows that Heafy is definitely a damn good songwriter, if not a vocalist!

This song features:

King Diamond (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE)- vocals
Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM)- lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars
Cory Beaulieu (TRIVIUM) - lead and rhythm guitars
Mike D'Antonio (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - bass
Dave Chavarri (ILL NINO) - drums

So why are Trivium's songs so bad?

Because Heafy's screaming vocals are terrible. If you take away the metalcore, cookie-cutter vocals and melody structure the music is damn good! Vocals change the landscape of a song, you could take death metal music and throw hardcore vocals on it and people will call it metalcore.

i d/l the whole album this morning i'm listening to it now. its 18 songs and the album is consistent and actually pretty good. heres the list of songs and whos playing:

Roadrunner United The All-Star Sessions in stores October 11th

01. The Dagger

Howard Jones (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - vocals
Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar, vocals
Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar
Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR) - solo
Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass
Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums

Music written by Robert Flynn
Lyrics written by Howard Jones and Robert Flynn

02. The Enemy

Mark Hunter (CHIMAIRA) - vocals
Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar
Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) - solo, acoustic guitar
Paul Gray (SLIPKNOT) - bass
Roy Mayorga (ex-SOULFLY, MEDICATION)- drums

Music written by Dino Cazares and Roy Mayorga
Lyrics written by Mark Hunter

03. Annihilation by the Hands of God

Glen Benton (DEICIDE) - vocals
Matt DeVries (CHIMAIRA) - rhythm guitar
Rob Barrett (CANNIBAL CORPSE, ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION) - rhythm guitar
James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY)- solo
Steve DiGiorgio (TESTAMENT, SADUS) - fretless bass
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums

Music written by Joey Jordison and Rob Barrett
Lyrics written by Glen Benton

04. In the Fire

King Diamond (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE)- vocals
Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM)- lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars
Cory Beaulieu (TRIVIUM) - lead and rhythm guitars
Mike D'Antonio (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - bass
Dave Chavarri (ILL NINO) - drums

Music written by Matthew K. Heafy
Lyrics written by King Diamond

05. The End

Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - vocals, lead guitar
Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar
Nadja Peulen (ex-COAL CHAMBER) - bass
Roy Mayorga (ex-SOULFLY, MEDICATION) - drums
Logan Mader (ex-MACHINE HEAD, SOULFLY) - melodic guitar harmonics
Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY) - keyboards, programming

Music written by Dino Cazares
Lyrics written by Matthew K. Heafy

06. Tired 'N Lonely

Keith Caputo (LIFE OF AGONY) - vocals, piano
Matt Baumbach (ex-VISION OF DISORDER) - rhythm guitar
Tommy Niemeyer (GRUNTRUCK) - rhythm guitar
Acey Slade (MURDERDOLLS, TRASHLIGHT VISION) - rhythm guitar
James Root (SLIPKNOT) - solo, harmony guitar
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums, bass

Music written by Joey Jordison
Lyrics written by Keith Caputo

07. Independent (Voice of the Voiceless)

Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, ex-SEPULTURA) - vocals
Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar, 3-part guitar harmonies, keyboards
Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar
Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR) - solo
Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass
Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums

Music written by Robert Flynn and Phil Demmel
Lyrics written by Max Cavalera

08. Dawn of a Golden Age

Dani Filth (CRADLE OF FILTH) - vocals
Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - lead and rhythm guitars
Justin Hagberg (3 INCHES OF BLOOD) - rhythm guitars
Sean Malone (ex-CYNIC) - bass
Mike Smith (SUFFOCATION) - drums

Music written by Matthew K. Heafy
Lyrics written by Dani Filth

09. The Rich Man

Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) - vocals
Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar, keyboards
Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar
Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass
Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums

Music written by Robert Flynn
Lyrics written by Corey Taylor

10. No Way Out

Daryl Palumbo (GLASSJAW, HEAD AUTOMATICA) - vocals
Matt Baumbach (ex-VISION OF DISORDER) - guitar, bass
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums, bass
Junkie XL - programming, synths

Music written by Joey Jordison and Matt Sepanic
Lyrics written by Daryl Palumbo

11. Baptized in the Redemption

Dez Fafara (DEVILDRIVER, ex-COAL CHAMBER) - vocals
Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar
Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) - solo, wah wah guitar
Paul Gray (SLIPKNOT) - bass
Roy Mayorga (ex-SOULFLY, MEDICATION) - drums

Music written by Dino Cazares and Roy Mayorga
Lyrics written by Dez Fafara

12. Roads

Mikael Ã…kerfeldt (OPETH) - vocals
Josh Silver (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - keyboards, backing vocals

Music written by Josh Silver
Lyrics written by Mikael Ã…kerfeldt

13. Blood & Flames

Jesse David Leach (SEEMLESS, ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - vocals
Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars, vocals
Josh Rand (STONE SOUR) - rhythm guitars
Mike D'Antonio (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - bass
Johnny Kelly (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - drums

Music written by Matthew K. Heafy
Lyrics written by Jesse David Leach

14. Enemy of the State

Peter Steele (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - vocals, keyboards
Steve Holt (36 CRAZYFISTS) - rhythm, acoustic and slide guitar
Dave Pybus (CRADLE OF FILTH) - bass
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums
Josh Silver (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - keyboards, samples

Music written by Joey Jordison and Matt Sepanic
Lyrics written by Peter Steele

15. I Don't Wanna Be (A Superhero)

Michale Graves (ex-MISFITS) - vocals
Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - lead and rhythm guitars
Justin Hagberg (3 INCHES OF BLOOD) - rhythm guitars
Mike D'Antonio (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - bass
Dave Chavarri (ILL NINO) - drums

Music written by Matthew K. Heafy
Lyrics written by Michale Graves

16. Army of the Sun

Tim Williams (BLOODSIMPLE, ex-VISION OF DISORDER) - vocals
Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar
Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar
Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass
Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums

Music written by Robert Flynn and Dave McClain
Lyrics written by Tim Williams

17. No Mas Control

Cristian Machado (ILL NINO)- vocals
Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar
Souren "Mike" Sarkisyan (SPINESHANK) - harmony guitar
Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) - harmony solo
Marcelo Dias (ex-SOULFLY) - bass
Dave McClain (MACHINE HEAD, ex-SACRED REICH) - drums

Music written by Dino Cazares and John Sankey
Lyrics written by Cristian Machado

18. Constitution Down

Kyle Thomas (ex-EXHORDER, FLOODGATE) - vocals
Matt DeVries (CHIMAIRA) - rhythm guitar
Rob Barrett (CANNIBAL CORPSE, ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION) - rhythm guitar, trade-off solo
James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY) - intro solo
Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND) - trade-off solo
Steve DiGiorgio (TESTAMENT, SADUS) - fretless bass
Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums

Music written by Joey Jordison
Lyrics written by Kyle Thomas

Heard "The End" last night, and it was terrible! Pure nu-metal.

Not nu-metal at all. More like heavy alternative rock.

:? I know nu metal when I hear it.