Review

Change! - CD/DVD

06.02.2008 | Cam | 0 Comments

Genre: Metal/Punk/Hardcore
For Fans Of: Every Time I Die – Silverstein – As I Lay Dying
Favourite Songs: Saosin – The Human Abstract - Converge
Running Time: DVD - 90 minutes: CD
Year: 2007
Website Link: http://www.hottopic.com
Myspace Link: http://www.hopelessrecords.com

Score: 80

A little something for everybody…

REVIEW.

Compilations are more often than not a hit or miss affair, but when you combine a diverse list of today’s most popular punk (and I’m using the term loosely here, because I’m not going to use the dreaded E word) and metal bands, put it together in one affordable package and donate 5% of the profits to a good cause, then you’ve got something pretty cool on your hands.

Change is the latest venture from those charitable folks over at Hopeless and Subcity Records, and with Hot Topic’s massive distribution and backing, they’ve assembled a CD /DVD package which should please even the most jaded music fan.

First up, the audio half of Change. If camp, skinny men wearing matching outfits is your thing, then you’re going to be happy with the inclusion of Aiden, Alesana, Chiodos and Silverstein. While I can’t say that I’m a fan of any of these bands it’s good to see that they’ve all contributed proper tracks to this release, as opposed to throwing the labels an un-mastered demo which they’ve discarded.

If you’re after something with some balls then Every Time I Die, Gallows, Poison The Well and homegrown favourites Parkway Drive should do the job, while all you kids out there in tech metal land will be satisfied with tunes from The Chariot, The Human Abstract, See You NextTuesday and Job For A Cowboy.

If you’re like me and you have to watch a band’s videos on YouTube then you’re going to love the DVD component. There’s the token cheesy performance videos with a bad story line (thank you Silverstein) and of course there’s one band who are convinced they are legit 80’s rock stars… except they sound like The Used (yep, I’m looking at you Escape The Fate), but if you can get past that shit then you’ll find some real gems on here.

In true Every Time I Die fashion, the perennially bass-less Buffalo band have come up with another humorous clip, and The Chariot’s collection of close to 4,000 still shots makes for a unique looking video. As I Lay Dying’s effort for “Nothing Left” looks like it has a bigger budget than most Australian films while Converge’s “No Heroes” is a stunning amalgamation of the band’s own live performances and Jake’s renowned artwork.

Job For A Cowboy do a commendable job at looking metal and Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster prove once and for all that they are legitimate, God fearing, southern folk. Aiden must have been included for comic relief because… well, let’s face it, their band sucks.

CONCLUSION.

If you’re after a mix CD for the car or you’d like to see some of your favourite band’s videos somewhere other than the internet then Change is a worthwhile purchase, one which is for a good cause!