Various Artists "Loud Rocks" (2000)

 

Here's one for my youth! Loud Rocks is a Hip Hop & Metal crossover record I'm somewhat flabbergasted to have not discovered years back. Release around the peak of aggression in the millennium music scene, dictated largely by MTV, it features popular Nu Metal bands and Rap artists collaborating in varying shades of success and failure. I'd actually heard a few of these from the Napster mp3 trading days, for example Wu-Tang Clan linking up with System Of A Down and Tom Morello to perform their songs in a metallic context. How I'd not learned of the record is beyond me.

The brief 90s Rap and Nu Metal collision was a strange affair yet the holly grail of my youth... If done right, a rare occurrence. I think the crown might belong to Cypress Hill with the second, metallic, half of Skull & Bones. Most other crossovers are novel and occasionally decent but Loud Rocks mostly seems conceived to serve a niche through remixing Rap tracks, often giving the stems to an artist to re-arrange and work in metallic elements. I think Wu-Tang are the only exception, however the remix of one of their finest tracks, For Heaven's Sake, is handed over to Black Sabbath for a strange mix of two sounds that clash awkwardly with sudden eruptions of dense distortion guitars and Ozzy singing that simply cannot resolve to the mood of its rap verses.

Xzibit seems to have the most success. Something about his tone and cadence mixes well with guitars. His songs too have a meaner demeanor allowing the original samples to blend. Far from fantastic yet hearing Sevendust and Endo scream out his chorus hooks had a little gratification. Hardcore legends Sick Of It All bring an interesting touch to the Mobb Deep sound, however its sense of rhythm often looses the lyrical cadence. Everlast reworking Shook Ones Part II might be the albums one solid track, however it plays more like a moodier incarnation than anything metallic.

With the Rap Metal era being so disliked, this record will sound like trash to most. My observations on its various chemistries were simply a vent on my curiosities. I wanted this long forgotten musical movement to work out so bad, however the reality is very little of it did. Discovering another piece of the picture will always be a delight for me, even if the fruits of collaboration were far and few between. In the case of Loud Rocks, it mostly feels forced to serve an audience. A fun listen but I'll move on swiftly.

Rating: 4/10

My Day At Friday Download Festival 2017

As I write this now I realize the second day of music has just begun and Ive got to admit I'm both gutted to be missing more music and a little relived to have the comforts of my home. This year I decided to go alone just for the Friday to catch the legendary SOAD who I'm yet to see live. It wasn't my favorite day of the lineup but I needed to cross them off my list and it turned out there was actually a great lineup of acts to see.

She Must Burn

My plans to start with Northlane on the main stage were foiled by ques and so the day kicked off with a small crowd In the forth stage tent. The crowd lights were left on which seemed to make the band a little tense in front of such a small turnout however they rocked hard for those of us who dropped by. Their blend of Deathcore and Symphonic Black Metal was right up my ally and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of their set. Will be picking up their debut EP for sure!

Holding Absence

Following them on the same stage, a young, energetic and thirsty band from Cardiff with a talented front man brought a sizeable amount of fans to fill the tent. Mixing ethereal shoegazing guitars with Deftones inspired metallic tones would of made for an indulgent experience however technical issues rendered the distortion guitars inaudible and unfortunately left a lively, enthusiastic performance a little on its heels, no fault of the band of course.

Sabaton

Grabbing a bite to eat and catching Sabaton from a distance grew my appreciation for the war themed metallers. Their stage theatrics and a tank on stage for the drummer to play from made for a great live show that was sure to win them over more fans.

Code Orange

I may of missed a song or two from this four piece, super heavy Hardcore group. The third stage had moved location from last year and in the rush to find it I didn't get a great spot in the crowd but could enjoy the most wildly energetic and brutal performance of the day. Took me a while to realize all four were trading vocal duties in the absence of a visible front man. They commanded the stage with a ton of movement as they pummeled us with their Post-Deathcore brutality.

Mastodon

I was keen to catch Mastodon who Ive seen quite a few times before. I thoroughly enjoyed their Emperor Of Sand record this year but live it didn't resonate the same way. The crowd didn't seem all that into it and the lack of movement on stage had it feeling a little subdued and routine.

Suicidal Tendencies

Teaming up with the legendary Dave Lombardo, formally of Slayer, these veterans put on yet another cracking show. Their new song Clap Like Ozzy sounded fantastic live and an army of enthusiastic fans ensured it would be a memorable show with mosh pits and plenty of noise.

Baroness

The Grammy nominated outfit, for their "Purple" record, had the most surprising show of all, a small turnout on a big performance slot had me walking all the way to the very front center of the crowd. The group rocked their songs flawlessly and really gave a stellar, inspired performance that sounded sublime. As the set drew on they had the small turnout of fans screaming and cheering their lungs out in appreciation of such an indulgent rocking performance. Almost the days best.

Prophets Of Rage

The days best show goes to the super group of Tom Morello, Chuck D, and B-Real. Essentially Rage Against The Machine with Zach replaced by the Public Enemy and Cypress Hill front men. Their couldn't be a voice more iconic than Chuck D's to replace him and with one of the best rappers alive alongside him the slew of RATM songs had a real kick about them. A few covers and the groups own tracks spiced up the show which commanded the crowd to move from the main stage.

Krokodil
Ive caught them a few times before and not looking for a front crowd spot for SOAD I decided to watch this brutal outfit command a punishing show on the forth stage. They were tight, lean and on point, rocking a handful of songs in their distinct style of heavy.

System Of A Down

Watching videos of them play recently on youtube had really wound down my hype for seeing one of Metal's biggest names. Over ten years since they last wrote new material, System have managed to keep their massive fan base together landing them a headline spot. It was a great show but purely on the merit of hearing so many songs of my youth live for the first time. It was a passable performance, their bassist brought movement and energy to the stage but Serj and Daron stood static like ghosts with a lack of enthusiasm in their facial expression and body language. Serj commented on the condition of his voice has he struggled to sing, finish sentences and replacing his thick, dense scream with quirky voices. It was a tough show for them and really made me feel like their moment as a band has passed. I enjoyed hearing their arsenal of classic songs but Its not something Id seek out again until they sort out their stage presences which was underwhelming.

A fantastic day out. Dead tempted to grab a Sunday ticket and drive back to Donnington but alas I must resume with my day to day.