Welcome to salvation brothers and sisters, unlike most soundtracks this compilation for the latest sequel in "The Crow" series really makes sense. Most modern day movie soundtracks have no other purpose then to gather a few already established bands and a bunch of 'next big things' , let them deliver a leftover of their last full album or a remix and put it on a soundtrack just because every self-respecting motion picture these days apparently has to be accompanied by a hip soundtrack.
At first sight it might look like the bands on this soundtrack are an unorganised collection coming out of almost every possible genre in present-day music industry but this dear friends, changes as soon as you start listening to it. The soundtrack opens with 'The best things' by industrial combo Filter who in my humble opinion are delivering their best song since 'Hey man, nice shot', immediately followed by horror-metal clown Rob Zombie with a remix for 'Living dead girl' On the third track, movie star Juliette Lewis does great things on vocals with The Infidels. Everyone who saw her playing the role of messed up rock star in the brilliant cyberthriller 'Strange Days' a few years ago already knew that she's besides a very good actress also a talented rock singer, in fact her song 'Hardly Wait' was in my opinion the best song on the 'Strange Days' soundtrack. Juliette Lewis's collaboration with the to me completely unknown Infidels results in the furious techno / industrial vehicle 'Bad brother'. Coming up next is white rapper Kid Rock and it's at this point on the soundtrack that I first realize that most bands on the disc aren't exactly doing what you would expect from them, at least music-wise. No metal / rap crossover for Kid Rock this time, Warm Winter is a dark rock song which proves that the kid has more to offer then the macho rap metal he usually brings. Track five, 'It's all over now, Baby blue' by Hole is sure interesting enough to make die hard Courtney Love fans buy this soundtrack just to own this new song. The Flys are asking 'What you want' and the answer is simple ... Monster Magnet ! Track seven is the main reason why I'm writing this review, after all this is a Monster Magnet site. Big God is not a new song, it appeared as a B-side on limited edition SpaceLord singles and as extra track on the Japanese import version for the Powertrip album but lots of Magnet fans might not have the chance to own these collectors items so here's another good reason to purchase this excellent soundtrack. No need to say 'Big God' is my favourite track on the album but of course I'm prejudiced. Apart from that the rather dark atmosphere from Big God fits perfectly within the doomy concept on which 'The Crow' comics and movies seem to have a patent. 'Painful' by Sin is an epic instrumental tune who drives upon a computer generated techno beat mixed with ultra heavy guitarsamples, perfect for those amongst us who look further than the traditional rocksong. Next is Tricky who supplies 'Antihistamine' an unworldly drugged out masterpiece as we are used from the god of trip hop. Alice in chains adepts Days of the New sound so much as their role-models on 'Independent slaves' that it's only a matter of time before a lawsuit for plagiarism is heading their way, nevertheless they deliver a great song who just like all others on the soundtrack sucks me into a pool of chaos and decay, characteristic to the whole 'Crow' cult. British industrial kings Pitchshifter don't need an introduction I guess. This heavy rock band who already used all kinds of samples and beats many years ago at a time it wasn't even trendy are doing what they do best on 'Everything sucks (again)'. Track twelve 'Walking up beside you' by Stabbing Westward brings us a doomy rock / techno / industrial mix. just like next song 'Now is the time' by the like-minded computer wizards in The Crystal Method , they call it 'The millennium remix' and no shit, it brings me visions of hundreds of spaced out zombies freaking out on a giant new year's eve rave celebrating the "fin de siècle" like it's their last one. LA based weirdo's Static X are rocking the hell out of you on 'Burning inside' with help coming from cyber metal crew Fear Factory vocalist Burton C Bell. I never heard of New American Shame before but 'Rusted Wings' definitely tastes like more, pure old fashioned rawk, very refreshing after all the rather depressing but oh so beautiful violence most previous songs brought us.! Finally evil Elvis Glenn Danzig closes this album with 'underBelly of the beast', a Danzig goes industrial type of thing which continues the direction he took on his last two studioalbums.
I think it's pretty clear by now ... this soundtrack produced by Jeff Most kicks some serious ass, especially when your prepared to look further than the traditional rocksong, as mentioned earlier in the review. Right now it's waiting for the upcoming The Crow - Salvation movie by director Bharat Nalluri. One thing is sure, as soon as it's appearing in theatres all over Europe I'm gonna see it twice, once just to see this sequel, which will be pretty damn excellent, no doubt about that ... and the second time to watch it wearing a walkman and headphones listening to the soundtrack at a ridiculous volume ...outstanding !
Special thanks to Dave @ Koch Records for sending me the soundtrack in order to put a review on this site !
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