Search - Various Artists :: Mtv2 Headbanger's Ball: The Revenge

Pfft....Disappointment

Feathers Fell | 253 | 06/24/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"First off, I'm not as close-minded as those reviewers below me. Yes, I keep an open mind on music. But this CD tells us that Headbangers Ball is getting bogged down with mainstream music and less underground bands are being supported. I mean, come on, Korn? Avenged Sevenfold? new Underoath? From First To Last? H.I.M.?! Wow...talk about sinking to an all time low. I enjoyed the first two compilations of this, but I didn't even bother to buy this one.



My Favorites:

Lamb of God, As I Lay Dying, Mastodon, In Flames, Chimaira, DevilDriver, Opeth, A Life Once Lost, Still Remains, God Forbid, Killswitch Engage, Dragonforce, High on Fire.



Overall, this compilation ISN'T for everyone. It covers many genres of music, but some artists could be taken out and replaced with these artists:



Between The Buried and Me, The Black Dahlia Murder, Himsa, Demiricous, Dead To Fall, Obituary, Through The Eyes of the Dead, Soulfly, etc.



If you're into modern music and like a variety and aren't "1337", you MAY like this. Otherwise, don't waste your money."

The Worst of the Series

Bill Lumbergh | Initech | 09/12/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Personally, I feel like the Headbangers Ball is a great way to get into the somewhat lesser known bands these days. It's basically a mixed bag of artists in certain genres. Chances are you won't enjoy everything on this CD, but it does give a glimpse to what MTV2's Headbangers Ball is all about.



Disc One:



First, we have Slipknot, which I'm not very fond of anymore. Then, it's Korn, with a track from their horrendous "See You On The Other Side". We have Iron Maiden next, and even though I'm not too big of a fan, they are a great band, and "The Trooper" is a classic song. Hatebreed is up next with a dynamic track called "To The Threshold". True, it's not the heaviest you'll ever hear, but if you're into the hardcore stuff, you'll like that song. Mudvayne sounds too polished nowadays, and "Forget To Remember" is their most boring song I've heard so far. Avenged Sevenfold, even though they have some talent, are a band that I could care less about. H.I.M.? No thanks. I have no clue why they are on here. It's just sappy goth-pop. No metal whatsoever. Trivium is next with "A Gunshot To The Head of Trepidation". Matt Heafy is a mediocre vocalist, but the guitar work makes up for it. Lamb of God has "Now You've Got Something To Die For" (live), one of the best tracks on this CD. 10 Years is nothing special. Disturbed is boring. As I Lay Dying, however, are better than most, and with the track "Through Struggle" shows some of their best work. (Knock it off with the Christianity BS.) Lacuna Coil is not really my style, even though I know they have definite talent. UnderOath doesn't belong either, at least the new stuff with Spencer on vocals. Mastodon is a definite standout with "Blood and Thunder", who does something original with their signature sludge sound. Killswitch Engage has a live track with "A Bid Farewell", and they do a good job at it. Black Label Society, I honestly could care less about, even though I do respect Zakk Wylde for making a tribute to Dimebag. Bleeding Through's "Kill To Believe" is okay, but disappointing to the fan of their previous works. "Take This Life" by In Flames is a definite step up for them, bringing back their roots while mixing their new sound as well.



Disc Two:



This is the better of the two in my opinion. Chimaira kicks it off with "Nothing Remains", an excellent track. But then, we have the mediocre Bullet For My Valentine, with some of the worst vocals ruining their decent music. Arch Enemy's "Nemesis" is also a great track, very strong indeed. It Dies Today are okay. Just a typical metalcore band. Opeth's "The Grand Conjuration" brings you into the progressive world of this talented and legendary band. Norma Jean is listenable but mediocre. DevilDriver's "Hold Back The Day" is a heavy dark track that is basically addicting. Still Remains, well, I like them, but if you dislike metalcore, you won't like them. God Forbid is great, however, a strong heavy metal band that knows how to play quality music. Throwdown is like Hatebreed, but not as good. Basically, they're just a mosh band. From First to Last...wow, I despise them. 36 Crazyfists are catchy post-hardcore. Dragonforce is getting big, and their track shows off their undeniable talent. A Life Once Lost is a metalcore band that breaks the boundaries and has a somewhat progressive feel. It's a good original track. High on Fire is a sludge/stoner band with a dark feel to their songs. Bloodsimple, I like, but "Sell Me Out" isn't their best track, neither is it their worst. Haste The Day is yet another metalcore band, but I can tolerate them. Walls of Jericho is a band you have to grow into, mostly because of the blend of female vocals and hardcore. Kingdom of Sorrow, I don't know much about, but I can tell you that Hatebreed and Crowbar fans won't be disappointed, as it features Hatebreed vocalist Jamey Jasta (and the Headbangers Ball host as well).



Like I said before, it's basically a mixed bag. You'll either enjoy it or despise it."