Letting Your Eyes Join The Party
Almost like an annual tradition, Roadrunner records return yet again with a collection of promo videos from a combination of their artists to tease and treat metal fans' eyes and ears. Now in its sixth year, Roadtunner Roadrage 2007 is a collection of 34 videos that embraces some of today's heaviest bands such as Machine Head and Slipknot ahead of packing a power punch of prog from the likes of Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree before skipping, in a manly aggressive way of course, off to the melodic contagiousness that is Madina Lake and Stone Sour – and that's to name a few! Basically Roadrage 2007 captures all that is great from the metal world (well at least those on Roadrunner's rosters) and ties them nicely in a DVD bow for your viewing pleasure and whilst they may have been rotating non stop on Scuzz for the past year it never hurts to see them again does it?
Lacking the frills and technical wizardry of most DVD's, Roadrage 2007 is stripped to the bone, doing exactly what it says on the packet and simply playing the promo videos of bands. There are no mind boggling menus to lead you off your crusade into the world of metal; all you need to do is hit the play button and let the videos speak for themselves as Stone Sour triumphantly sets the ball rolling with 'Made Of Scars'. Effectively your run of the mill concert footage video, 'Made Of Scars' brilliantly sets the tone for the DVD as the raw aggression of the track merges with the visuals of the concert until you can almost smell the sweat and energy that threatens to burst out of the screen. Stone Sour continues to be showcased as 'Sillyworld' gets an airing before the simple genius of 'Through The Glass' makes its entrance. Beautifully haunting and cringingly realalistic, 'Through The Glass' brings the fakeness of modern life into the harsh light of day, superbly echoing Stone Sour's music.
Love them or hate them Trivium of course see three of their songs included with 'Anthem (We Are The Fire)' noticeably standing out with its almost stereotypical metal video still managing to project the adrenalin frenzy that oozes from the song whilst the video for Machine Head's 'Aesthetics Of Hate' matches the band's natural aggression pound for pound. From this Roadrage 2007 goes on to unveil the rawness of DevilDriver's 'Not All Who Wander Are Lost' in all its mind bending glory, stopping off to unleash the catchy melodic hooks of the new blood curtsey of Madina Lake's 'Here I Stand' and 'House Of Cards' before finding time to visit the old guard of Roadrunner Records, Nickelback with 'Savin' Me' and 'If Everyone Cared', although unfortunately not including their latest single 'Rock Star' with its surprisingly original video. Then there are the ones you'd forgotten about such as Cradle Of Filth's cover of 'Temptation' with its take on the Garden Of Eden come deranged fairytale video in all its dark splendour and Megadeth's visualisation of the end of the world with 'A Tout Le Monde' showing the vastness of Raodrunner's roster and the quality of music in 2007. Sure, there are artists that you wish had been included for instance Within Temptation have had a great year and surely deserve a mention whilst the absence of Biffy Clyro seems odd but perhaps comes down to them only being with Roadrunner in the USA and not Europe – who knows?
Whilst Roadrage 2007 may be dismissed by many a mere collection of promo videos that serves no real purpose there's still something great about having them all at hand, if only for the nostalgic purpose in a few years time. A no frills concept that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and actually does what it claims to do, Roadrage 2007 is great just to have in your collection, showcasing how healthy the metal scene is this year and setting the bar for others to strive for; in a way it's a pity more record companies don't follow Roadrunner's footsteps. Roadrage 2007 finally gives an all access pass to your eyes, allowing them to see the fun your ears have been having over the past 12 months.