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.
Continue reading “Saw 3D” by Various Artists →
Artist: Various Artists
Title: “Punisher: War Zone” Soundtrack
Label: Lionsgate
Release Date: 11/18/2008
Genre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 2.5/5
Fans of Marvel Comics around the globe know full well about Frank Castle, The Punisher, the anti-hero who made his first appearance in the Spider-Man comics and over the years has had three movies made about his adventures. These films find him to be the sole protagonist in his war on crime and the first film was a largely forgettable one that gave us Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV) as the vigilante in 1989. This was followed by the rather on target release bearing the same name in 2004 that put Thomas Jane in the recognizable skull emblem ensemble and it’s popularity has led to a sequel. The new film is entitled “Punisher: War Zone” and this time around Castle will be played by Ray Stevenson. Having seen the trailer online I can say that it looks to be along the same level of excitement that the last movie offered and I am sure that it will feed the need of those fans that the character has. Like most movies of this kind, its release comes hand in hand with an official soundtrack CD.
Continue reading “Punisher: War Zone” Soundtrack by Various Artists →
Artist: Various Artists
Title: “Saw III” – soundtrack
Label: Artists Addiction Records
Release Date: 10/24/2006
Genre: Melodic Death Metal/Heavy Metal
Rating: 3/5
Once you have stopped shaking in your boots from the terror-filled gore fest that is the movie “Saw III”; you can put on this CD and find your blood boiling again instead of running cold in your veins. Yes, this soundtrack is just the type of release to help do it and get your energy levels high and excited instead of finding them in fear of the dark and sudden noises from alley. I admit that soundtracks for movies such as this don’t usually impress me but on top of this edition featuring some truly killer bands they do also offer a particular launch point. Does anyone remember the movie Daredevil? Well, that soundtrack helped out a little band called Evanescence, so there is just a chance that some of the newer groups in the eyes of the masses on this release can benefit from it.
Continue reading “Saw III” (Soundtrack) by Various Artists →
Artist: Various Artists
Title: “The Punisher” – The Album
Label: Wind-Up Records
Release Date: 2004
Genre: Alternative
Rating: 7/10
Wind-Up Records takes their next foray into the soundtrack from the next superhero adaptation to the big screen and with the music featured on “The Punisher” we get a good sampling of some of the best that is up and coming on this label. “Daredevil” was the first time that they gave this a shot and it did some chat-topping by launching the career of Evanescence. This band became the biggest Artist on the label outside of Creed. I venture to guess that due to “The Punisher” being a darker and edgier film that this was the reasoning for so much of the CD being on the heavier side. Artists such as Hatebreed and Damageplan are proof positive of this. While “Daredevil” gave us Evanescence; “The Punisher” instead gives us the newest work from Amy Lee who recorded her track with Seether, and Ben Moody who performs his very Evanescence like composition with Jason “Gong” Jones. These tracks make me wonder what the new Evanescence CD will be like as well as increase my curiosity into Moody’s solo effort.
Continue reading “The Punisher: The Album” by Various Artists →
Where Heavy Music & Pop Culture Collide
