STUDIO 99
"Metal Plated" (Cedar)
Reviewed by TBJ
I was asked by a friend to review this CD, probably with expectations of me tearing it apart. Well, I can't do that because this weird compilation is pretty good indeed!
"Metal Plated" is performed by a band called Studio 99 (for those who don't know, Studio 99 is a sort of "union" of session musicians). Studio 99 is made up of these musicians (as stated in the booklet) have been playing with top-charting bands, providing services such as playing instruments (guitars, keyboards, etc.) or as backup singers.
Because of the similarity of some songs herein to their original counterparts, thoughts of Milli Vanilli flashed through my mind. Why? Well, some of these "studio musicians" sound exactly (and sometimes better!) than the original artists!
Okay, the Aerosmith cover sucks vocally, but there's something about the
Meat Loaf cover that almost makes me believe ol' Loaf has something in common with Rob and
Fab. Same with the Van Halen cover.
The track listing includes covers of "Jump," "Paranoid,"
"Smoke on the Water," "Nothing Else Matters" and more. And, as I said,
it all depends on your mood whether you'll like this thing or not. I wouldn't buy something like this (unless there were some In Flames or Arch Enemy covers) but I can't deny how cool some tracks sound
("Be Quick or Be Dead" sounds more "metal" than its original
version!).
I hope my friend is satisfied with this review. I give "Metal Plated"
two chainsaws because there was more work done here than on some of the original artists
past few releases. And for that I recommend it.
Studio 99 is: A whole bunch of session musicians!
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the
cover makes you wanna hurl.
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