1. Coming Alive - Chimaira
Here's a live album that actually does it right. Start off with the fade-in sounds of the build-up chant of "CHIMAIRA!", then play the slow pulse and opening riff from "The Venom Inside" off of 2009's The Infection, crowd anticipation and cheering, take the stage and eventually kick the crowd in the balls with a blistering one-two punch of openers like the aforementioned "Venom" and 2007's Resurrection's aptly-titled -- wait for it! -- "Resurrection"! Some playful banter from vocalist Mark Hunter and the crowd lightens the frenetic pacing of the songs, and at one point, there's a funny moment when Hunter apologizes for accidentally spitting on a fan when he is kibitzing. The playing is ferocious and the players are even mightier. The DVD is an insightful look into the band's attempt at creating and getting The Infection off the ground, as well as a fond farewell, in retrospect, at their now-departed bassist Jim LaMarca. Well worth the buck you paid for.
2. Live at Grimey's - Metallica
The old warhorses of 'Tallica play their balls off in the cramped, sweaty quarters of a Nashville, Tennessee basement for their fans in anticipation of the 2008 release of Grammy-winner Death Magnetic. It's the boys going back to their old roots, playing tracks from their first five albums and having a good time. Some playful chatter from Jaymz and the crowd offer some laughs, but their keen playing makes up for Hetfield's sad yodel that has now taken over his once-fearsome growl.
3. "Black Rain" - Soundgarden
This recording, pulled from the Badmotorfinger sessions, sounds every bit as crushing and definitive of Soundgarden's sound in the early 90s. It holds up well today and comes as a sign that possibly the boys might get together and release some new material. A sharp compendium of what Soundgarden were all about when they mattered most.
4. "Sudden Death" - Megadeth
Sounds like a decent enough outtake from 2009's Endgame, but doesn't stack well as an offering from "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock". It's Mustaine and company doing their best to keep their metal cred intact without sounding too extreme. But there isn't anything new here really.
5. "The Will to Survive" - Pantera
A demo found on the 20th anniversary release of 1990's seminal release Cowboys from Hell, it sounds more like a discarded extra filler from 1988's Power Metal-era glam days. Lots of falsetto wailings abound, and you start to remember that once upon a time, Phil Anselmo had a great voice - or at least, a scream - that rivaled Rob Halford's before drugs took it all away. Not good enough for CFH, but still rocks thanks to the ever-present Dimebag guitar licks.
DISHONORABLE MENTION
Jonah Hex: Revenge Gets Ugly EP - Mastodon
An overlong, overbearing, overindulgent example of pure rubbish that is not fit to wipe the asshole of any respectable person who dares to listen to it. It's shocking how disjointed and unlistenable this attempt at a mainstream soundtrack is when you realize it came from Mastodon. Sadly, they fail to capitalize on the "saviors of metal" tag and ultimately release a mishmash of soundscapes that tries too hard to reflect their progessive, sludgy mission statement while trying to please the Hollywood elite at the same time.
Stampede - Hellyeah
The jury is still out on this one.... since it's technically NOT EVEN IN MY IPOD.... but I'm sure it's exactly how I picture it: a bunch of cock-slinging, chick-humping, white-trash/redneck, barroom boogie rock disguised as southern metal courtesy of cattle baron and exploitator-supreme Vinnie Paul Abbott. Am I wrong about this?
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