Freddy vs. Jason
Soundtrack on Roadrunner Records, 2003
Reviewed by Matthew Lee Bain
Ahhh, Roadrunner Records - the people that brought you such classic groups as Shootzy Groove, Nickelback, and Annihilator. But let’s try not to hold a grudge; after all, they’ve harbored such brilliant acts as the quasi-goth band Type O Negative, Sepultura (at least, through the Max Cavalera era), and my personal favorite Biohazard, who have managed to escape to Sanctuary Records - which is, apparently a very amiable label, considering how many bands now fall within their purview.
It should be said, that many of the best groups on this soundtrack are NOT signed on Roadrunner records, but rather, belong to other labels: Such as Nothingface and Sevendust who fly the banner of TVT, and Lamb of God (formerly on Prosthetic, but just recently signed to Epic).
But let’s get to the SONGs in question, that comprise this compilation, and the only question that anyone reading this review probably cares about: is it worth my $12.00? The answer is a resounding yes. This is, probably one of the best Metal/Rock soundtracks I’ve bought in the last five years - and be quite sure that I have nothing to gain by making that statement; I’ve invested a lot of money in Metal, Thrash, Hardcore, Alt-rock, Prog-rock albums, and soundtracks and this one is a veritable buffet of delicious music; not an Old Country Buffet, but a Mongolian Barbecue buffet - you know, one where you actually want some of everything there is to sample.
The disc opens with Ill Nino’s, "How Can I Live." If you’re into Nu (or however the kids are bastardizing the word "new" nowadays) Metal, than, this is exactly what you’ve been looking for; Ill Nino - of the Korn/Coal Chamber/Spineshank school of music - are at the top of their genre; I wouldn’t deign to pick up one of their albums, but even I enjoy listening to them. Tracks 2–7 are a barrage of the good-ole Heavy Shit: "When Darkness Falls," by Killswitch Engage (a newcomer that blends Hardcore and Metal, taking the dual sounds in different directions); "Beginning of the End," by Spineshank (one of Roadrunner’s best bands); "Sun Doesn’t Rise," by Mushroomhead (an anomaly - sounds like a cross between Judas Priest and Slipknot); "Condemned Until Rebirth," by Hatebreed (the best true Hardcore band out there, hands down); "Snap," by Slipknot (if you don’t know who Slipknot is, I suggest you get a life; by the way, this is an unreleased demo for the fans); and "Army of Me," by Chimaira (a Roadrunner Metal band with balls? Yes it’s true).
"The After Dinner Payback," by From Autumn to Ashes (Emo-core), gives us a respite, somewhat, where we might catch our breath - although the tempo is fast, the music excellent, and the growling perfect, the singing comes off as effeminate. Then there’s Sevendust, who, although an excellent band, give us nothing more than a b-side entitled "Leech;" Powerman 5000 drop the "Bombshell"; and then we’re bogged down in three of the worst songs/acts on this album: "Welcome to the Strange," by Murderdolls (way too old-school, vocally - sounds like something off of "Ratt and Roll 81-91"), "Out of My Way," by Seether (Gag! Unless you like radio rock), and "Inside the Cynic," by Stone Sour. Murderdolls and Stone Sour are both side projects of the Metal beast known as Slipknot, and listening to these two offerings from the aforementioned bands will have you asking, "Why? Why not just write another Slipknot album? Did, we, the fans, do something wrong to deserve this?"
Moving on, we have "Swinging the Dead," from Dez Fafra’s (ex-lead singer of Coal Chamber) new side project, Devildriver. If you liked Coal Chamber but wished it was more Metal, then you’re in luck. And if you like Sepultura, but wish that Mike Patton (ex-lead singer of Faith No More/current singer for Tomahawk, and 20 other bands) was their lead singer, than you too are in luck...at least, for this one track, "The Waste" - a rarity to be sure. Hold your nose for the next track which reeks of radio, "Middle of Nowhere," by The Blank Theory.
And, finally for a good strong finish we have "Ether," by Nothingface (one of the best Prog-rock/Metal bands out there); "Trigger," by In Flames (Foreign Metal - good stuff, ala Soilwork, Shadows Fall); "11th Hour," by Lamb of God (pure American Metal - it’s that damn good); and, saving the best for last, Type O Negative, with the silliest song title on the soundtrack, "(We Were) Electrocute."
Considered in its totality, I’d have to give this CD a 4½ out of 5. So, if you’re looking for a CD, where you don’t have to skip by every other track, pick it up.
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