VARIOUS ARTISTS „Roadrunner United ; The All-Star Sessions”

Interesting concept this one. Certainly the numbers are impressive – 57 artists from 45 bands, 4 team captains, 18 tracks and 77 minutes. In terms of the sheer volume of people involved in this release, there has possibly been no other album like it. The brain child of Roadrunner A&R stalwart Monte Connor, The All-Star Sessions is not only a very unique way to celebrate your 25th birthday, but logistically a very ambitious project to undertake. But to true to his word, Monte has gone and united many of his current and previous artists and delivered an album that not only shows off the immense talent that he has signed over the years, but also celebrates the success of one of (if not the) most revered labels in Metal history.

When I initially got word about this All-Star session featuring the collaboration of some fifty plus Roadrunner artists, I thought how the hell do you control something like that and make it work. Its fair to say that EGO could have got in the way. So Monte set some ground rules. The label would pick four captains, from past and present Roadrunner line-ups and write/create/produce four to five original songs. There were no guidelines to what kind of songs or what genre. Lumped with the non-enviable task of doing this were Joey Jordison (Slipknot/Murderdolls) and Matt Heafy (Trivium) lets call them Team Present and Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory/Brujeria) and Robert Flynn (Machine Head) supposedly Team Past (not that Robb is past it, but Machine Head were more early 90s than the others). They were then to hand-pick who they would like to play on each of their tracks. Not such an easy task. And just so no favourites were played and more importantly to cover the widest spectrum possible, no musician has played for more than one writer/producer and each song features a different vocalist. This last part is possibly the most important aspect about this release.

It is interesting to note just WHO gets an invitation to partake on this release. Its possibly more interesting to see who DOESNT get an invite. With 45 bands represented, RR and the four team captains have been at pains to include almost everyone that mattered whether that be particular individuals or bands. I was keen to see if anyone from Cynic might get the nod, and sure enough bassist Sean Malone pops up the Heafy-penned black metal number Dawn of a Golden Age. As for Obituary, James Murphy is the only link and Donald Tardy and Trevor Peres might be a little miffed at not being included somewhere here. Misses aside, everyone else gets a run Rob Barrett (Ex-Malevolent Creation), Jeff Waters (Annihilator), Mike Smith (Suffocation), Paul Gray (Slipknot), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Rhys Fulber (Fear Factory), Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage), Max Cavalera (Soulfly), Keith Caputo (Life Of Agony), Glen Benton (Deicide) and Daryl Palumbo (Glassjaw) among many others. For a full listing of individuals involved, see the track by track synopsis below this review.

So what about the music? Well, overall, Im rather pleased with what has been presented here. There is a fair representation of styles and it is worth noting that each of the four captains have just about got their selections spot on; particularly their vocalist choices. Mention a name and you can pretty much work out the musical style being represented here Howard Jones (KSWE) – modern day Metalcore; Mark Hunter (Chimaira), the same; Glenn Benton Cabaret crooners (right!), King Diamond old school classic metal; Keith Caputo dark/soulful/melodic; Dani Filth big band jazz (ahem); Michael Graves (Misfits) Punk! It all makes sense for the most part. Obviously not everything is going to appeal and some tracks are nothing special (The Jordison penned, but Pete Steele raped Enemy of the State being the main offender). Furthermore, people are going to be drawn to their favourite captain tracks. Robb Flynn and Matt Heafy work the best for me with Flynn getting the nod for best track with Army of The Sun featuring the killer vocal performance of Ex-Vision of Disorder/current Blood Simple frontman Tim Williams. Howard Jones on The Dagger (listen for Waters phenomenal lead break!) and Kyle Thomas (Ex-Exhorder/Floodgate) on Constitution Down and Jesse Leach (ex-KSWE) on the stoner/rock vibe of Blood & Flames are other highlights. There is also an additional track included here that has been written outside of the regular teams. No doubt its inclusion capitalises on their recent addition to the RR family, but Opeths Mikael Ĺkerfeldt sings those doleful clean lines on the Josh Silver (Type-O-Negative) penned Roads a soulful, dreamy ballad that works extremely well, although its possibly a tad too short for my liking.

If you are a major follower of the Roadrunner Roster, both past and present it is worth hearing this disc at least once just to spot the contributions of those 57 individual artists. You may not be taken with everything written here, but you cant say that the writers havent attempted to cater for the cross section of styles that RR has thrown at us over the past 25 years. Unfortunately, I cannot comment as it was not included with this promotional copy, but watch for the accompanying DVD included in the final release version of this album. The DVD contains over one hour of recording session footage and other bonus material. Itd be near on essential viewing in my opinion.

Who plays on What and with Who?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roads

Mikael Ĺkerfeldt (OPETH) – vocals
Josh Silver (TYPE O NEGATIVE) – keyboards, backing vocals

Music written by Josh Silver
Lyrics written by Mikael Ĺkerfeldt

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

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

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

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

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

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

note: 8.5

Tracklist

The Dagger
The Enemy
Annihilation by the Hands of God
In the Fire
The End
Tired 'N Lonely
Independent (Voice of the Voiceless)
Dawn of a Golden Age
The Rich Man
No Way Out
Baptized in the Redemption
Roads
Blood & Flames
I Don't Wanna Be (A Superhero)
Army of the Sun
No Mas Control
Constitution Down
Enemy of the State