A collection of tracks by rising stars and one slightly older, that attempt to do justice to one of the most widely loved metal albums of all time. The original sounds dated now but this is all about updating the tracks and giving them more relevance to a new generation of metal heads. Try and find it as it isn"t on proper release (I recommend ebay). Good Luck, you won"t regret it.
Battery- Machine Head
As incendiary now as it was 20 years ago, this version by Machine Head benefits from Rob Flynn"s vocal style as opposed to James Hetfield who I felt just didn"t cut it vocally till The Black Album. The galloping riff complements the verse and fast paced drums. The guitar work is good on the main riff and great for the interlude. 4/5
Master of Puppets- Trivium
This song has had it"s detractors and I"m afraid that I"m one of them. This version merely benefits from the modern sound quality. The quality of the guitar from Matt Heafy and co is good but the vocals are uninspiring and bland. As the original was pretty poor I"ll admit this is and improvement but still not the awe-inspiring track it is supposed to be. 3/5
The Thing that should not be- Mendeed
Mendeed do well to make a song about all sorts of fantasy stuff as boring as hell, the worst track on the album, it suffers from a terrible chorus and verses. The only redeeming quality is that of the chugging main riff that just holds the song together from being a bit of a train wreck. Don"t like the vocal style as it is too unrefined (even by a Hetfield track"s standards). 2/5
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)- Bullet for My Valentine
This track is good with a deep and brooding quality that is evident in this version. Again the sound quality is improved and the vocals are much more palatable compared to the original. Matt Tuck"s voice effects suit the intro verse nicely until the song builds into a good riff and cascades into the chorus which benefits from the modern guitar sound afforded by Bullet for My Valentine. The song breaks-down into a maelstrom of guitar and makes this one of my favourite tracks. 4.5/5
Disposable Heroes- Chimaira
What a voice for this track! Frankly the leather throated growl emanating from my speakers is terrifying and complements the song"s subject and styling perfectly. The Machine gun riff and drums create a great war-torn atmosphere and the lyrics are just as applicable now as they were on the album"s release.
"You will die when I say/ You must die/ Back to the front"
Best track on the album. 5/5
Leper Messiah- Fightstar
Odd track that isn"t lyrically strong but is carried off with merit by the Fightstar crew. S****** those who know what else rhymes with "Fight" but this version is superior in almost every way to the original. The sound is updated and made more audible and Charlie Simpson"s vocal delivery is odd on this track but suits it in a weird way. A great riff and solo section are pulled off by Chaz (laugh now you arrogant rock snobs! Ha!) 4/5
Orion- Mastadon
A great track by Mastadon who claimed they didn"t wish to do a vocal song as they might not do it justice. Their instrumental effort is stunning: beautiful and threatening in equal measure it soars on some great riffs and Solo sections from all the band. Hard to put into words how great this version is. 4.5/5
Damage, inc.- Funeral for a Friend
Funeral for a Friend"s Matt Davis"s delivery is a serious departure of style that encompasses the raw fury of this track with ease. The sledgehammer riff is present with a great sense of swirling chaos as the song descends into one of the best solos on the album and brings this cover album to it"s triumphant conclusion.
4/5
Style over substance? A little. Great songs, great bands? Defiantly!
The original sounds alittle dated but it was ground breaking and a piece of metal greatness for sure.
