Artist: Various Artists
Title: “Saw 3D”
Label: Lionsgate Music
Release Date: 10/25/2010
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 3.5/5
If you are a diehard fan of the horrific films that come bearing the “SAW” moniker then you will certainly be pleased to learn that a 3D film is the next installment of the franchise and sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Being honest, these films are truly not something that I enjoy and they creep the hell out of me like few other things in the genre so I have problems sitting through them. I’m not embarrassed by this of course and proudly admit that a good old fashioned monster movie or an additional chapter maniac slasher featuring Jason, Freddie or Leatherface is more up my alley at the end of the day. This CD release is not so much music from the film as much as it is music inspired by the feature and that is something absolutely anyone can enjoy based on the wealth of difference being offered up. The sixteen tracks present some really interesting and possibly mystery acts to the listener, depending on how much attention they are paying to the underground scene around them and while some bands are cited as major players, there are others who are not mainstream radio fare by any length. We begin the journey with an unreleased track by Saving Abel who falls into the New Era Grunge movement if I had to lock into a specification and it’s not a bad tune at all. I enjoyed the Hinder contribution of “Waking Up The Devil” as I view the band a little higher than I originally did a couple of years ago. For me the first real treat comes via Karnivool who are described as Prog-Rock and yet to me feel more of a Melodic Dark Rock. I’ve seen them live and they are fantastic. Focus your attention on them and be the envy of those you know who feel their always ahead of the game.
I didn’t care much for the Nitzer Ebb tune but they never did it for me but Kopek sure had an interesting sound. There was a little bit of a reminder of Tesla in the way the singer’s voice came across during their “Love Is Dead” tune. I liked this one a lot and will be digging into their full CD as soon as possible. Saliva started off okay but then came off like a second rate Kid Rock with their dismal “Badass”. I never understood their appeal but to each their own in music right. There was a slight Nickelback groove to My Darkest Days and perhaps that will help them going forward as the Canadian band becomes this generation’s Pearl Jam with numerous imitators following their style. I skipped around a little bit and felt that that “Fire Fly” by I Exist was pretty cool but Boom Boom Satellites was too Electronica for me. Adelita’s Way continued the New Wave of the Return Of Alt-Metal and had a catchy chorus when it came down to it. I would listen to more of them if given the chance. Krokus’ okay recent release got a chance to win over new fans with “Hoodoo Woman” but there is a good chance that people will think this is ACDC based on just how much the band sounds like them on this album. It wouldn’t be a Horror movie offering if we didn’t find those Masters of Monster Metal Lordi sinking their teeth into the mix and I have a soft spot for their brand of music and was happy to see them here. Check them out live if you dare. We close up the release with an unreleased tune by J-Rockers Dir En Grey and this is a band whose popularity is growing by leaps and bounds over here and this tune gives you some insight into why this is the case.
When it all finishes up you are left with a lot of angles to investigate for your Hard Rock and Metal music shopping list. There is more good than bad on this one and it’s safe to say that there is a little something for everyone. I was pleased in how it gave a lot of bands that might otherwise fall to the wayside a chance to shine. Nice work. More compilations need to follow suit and show the world what is truly going on in the Metal scene. You will not get this kind of education watching VH1 or MTV that’s for sure.
Track Listing:
1. Saving Abel – Never
2. Dead By Sunrise – Condemned
3. Hinder – Waking Up The Devil
4. Karnivool – Goliath
5. Nitzer Ebb – Promises
6. Kopek – Love Is Dead
7. Saliva – Badass
8. My Darkest Days – The World Belongs To Me
9. Default – Turn It On
10. I Exist – Fire Fly
11. Boom Boom Satellites – What Goes Around Comes Around
12. Adelitas Way – Scream
13. Krokus – Hoodoo Woman
14. Lordi – This Is Heavy Metal
15. Wagdug Futuristic Unity – Ram The Crush
16. Dir En Grey – Hageshisa To Kono Mune No Naka De Karamitsuita Shakunetsu No Yami
Official Website: http://www.saw3d.com