Screaming for a Change - Century Media, Various Artists
This is arguably the most difficult review I think I have had the displeasure of doing. You see, this is a metal compilation, from a metal label. And I work for Punktastic, a punk zine. So you see my conundrum, but alas I listened to the 14 tracks with an open mind, and ladies and gentleman this is what I found.
I just don't like metal.
I forgive you Good Charlotte, Mest and Sum41. Please come back, I can't take anymore noise, but that is to this compilations credit. This is loud as fuck metal music which pulls no punches in the big picture of things. Opening with 'With all the pride and dignity of a drowning swimmer' by "Haste", it is a distinctly touchy touchy softly monkey song which cold grace any screamo fans shelf but "Stampin Gound" quickly shove you back in your seat with the ferocious 'Bear the Scars'. "Arch Enemy" weigh in with another meaty effort which features a cracking intro before we are treated to some rather throaty vocals while the delightfully named "Watch Them Die" deliver the poppy 'Sadist Ways'.
Throughout the next nine or so efforts the listener is treated to very much the same with one of the highlights proving to be the highly recommended "Mr Ruin" who can lay claim to one of the few bands which impressed me. The remainder plays out through more bass ripping, guitar hammering antics from the likes of "Carnal Forge", "Glass Casket" and "Eyes of Fire".
I may of skimmed the service somewhat with this release, but to myself a lot of the music sounds somewhat similar to what precedes it, hell I'm sure metal fans claim that a lot of 'our' music sounds mundane and borish, but I'm afraid that is what the majority of bands on here amount to. Strictly for metal fans only.
Jay
