Album Review: Roadrunner United: The Concert
Reviewed by Tim Finch
Back in the day, before some of you whipper-snappers were even born, Roadrunner Records were a powerhouse of an independent label, the home to a who’s who of every decent band of their time. To be signed to Roadrunner Records was the pinnacle for any even slightly extreme metal band, and Nickleback… whilst the name remains prevalent today, it is now owned by the corporate beast and that era of heavy music is now a distant memory.
To celebrate the labels 25th anniversary a huge number of Roadrunner signed musicians, lead by Joey Jordinson, Robb Flynn, Dino Cazarez and Matthew Heafy, got together to record ‘Roadrunner United’ a collection of tunes from the labels meteoric history. Following on from the albums success the artists got back together for an all star show at the Nokia Theater in New York City, a show which this week is subject to a release, available from Friday for the first time on vinyl.
As the fans roar blast through your speakers, and my god does it blast, we are led into Biohazard’s ‘Punishment’. As tracks go, its a great way to kick off this live show/live album and performed by Evan and Billy with Dino, Joey, Adam Duce and Andreas Kisser it has a more metallic and weightier impact. This leads perfectly into fellow NYHC act and Madball’s ‘Set It Off’ where vocal duties are taken by Jamey Jasta.
‘March of the S.O.D.’ with Scott Ian is a work of genius, as it always was and features the late Paul Gray on bass.
The live album does have a few bumps in the road. The more heavier, more metallic version of Life of Agony’s ‘River Runs Red’ doesn’t quite live up to the original, neither does the rendition of Obituary classic ‘The End Complete’.
The inclusion of Mercyful Fate’s ‘Curse of the Pharoahs’ is another masterful song selection, with a live line up that featuring Tim ‘Ripper Owens’ and the guitar legend James Murphy which in turn leads in perfectly to King Diamonds ‘Abigail’.
As the album progresses we are treated to numbers originally performed by Annihilator, Deicide, Trivium, Killswitch Engage, Chimaira and Fear Factory. A litteral whos who of the Roadrunner roster over the years.
I don’t think there is a metal fan alive who does not love and respect Peter Steele, so the inclusion of Type O Negative’s ‘Black No. 1’ is a stand out track. Ville Valo’s vocal performance a majestic tribute to the big man alongside Nadja Peulen’s rendition of that bass into.
Along side a number of specially writer ‘Roadrunner United’ tracks there is also performances of numbers by Sepultura, Stone Sour, Soulfly, Slipknot and Machine Head.
If you ever had any love of any of the Roadrunner roster over the years, or indeed missed out on this first time round, this live album is a perfect look back to a time when life was simpler, we had fewer worries and we could bang our heads and drink for days without ever fearing a hangover. What a time that was to be alive!
