ECW: Anarchy Rocks CD Reviews

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VARIOUS ARTISTS

Except for the stupid "disc jockey" interludes, "ECW: Anarchy Rocks" is pretty good collection of covers and re-mixes. It's not quite as good as its predecessor, "ECW: Extreme Music," but it's enough to keep your head banging as you drive to work one day.

"Anarchy Rocks" starts out with embarrassingly bad dialogue from a DJ type who's please to announce that his kind of music - Frank Sinatra, for example - will appear on the new ECW CD. He's infuriated when he finds out that only hard rock will appear on the record. Big deal. Let him go.

The first song up is Chimaira's cover of ACCEPT's classic "Balls to the Wall." It's not a bad cover, focusing on attitude rather than power, and it passes by quickly enough. "Head" by Static-X is next and it's a fast and furious little number that Static-X do so well.

Coal Chamber rock through "El Cu Cuy" next with the latest remix of Rob Zombie's "Superbeast" following (for those who are counting, this is the "Porno Holocaust Mix"). Hey, any Rob Zombie's better than no Rob Zombie at all.

Linkin Park contribute "One Step Closer" next and, again, this is one of those numbers that proves why bands like Linkin Park are just a hair above the competition. "One Step Closer" is a catchy hard rocker that you've probably heard before. Powerman 5000 and "Neckbone" follow and, like Rob Zombie, any Powerman 5000 is better than no Powerman 5000 at all, even though this is one of those songs that works much better live.

Cold are up next, doing "Just Got Wicked," and it works just fine, if perhaps it doesn't launch fireworks. "Now You Want Me" by J.P.O. follows and, as it's Elektra's theme, you'd expect it to be a little mellow. Not really. A little slicker, maybe, but it rocks just fine.

Disturbed's "Welcome Burden" is the next track and it's just what Disturbed fans have come to expect. One Minute Silence does "Holy Man" next and it's sharp edges could cut you through your speakers.

The last two songs on the CD are Jackyl frontman Jesse James Dupree and his version of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell." It's a little different than one might expect, funkier somehow. But Jesse's voice fits the song well and the song works just fine - not as good as the original but, then, what is? The final track is "Natural Born Killaz" by F.M. Racket, and it's a rap-heavy rocker that brings to mind some of Limp Bizkit's work.

Overall - "ECW: Anarchy Rocks" ain't half bad ... but that means it's only slightly better than half good. An all right collection if you're a fan of the bands involved, but otherwise, nothing to write home about.

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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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