On the surface, the upcoming movie Heavy Metal 2000 can't fail. For those who remember the original movie, they'll undoubtedly want to see how the story has progressed with this film. For the casual observer who looks at the artwork for the soundtrack - well, who would pass up a movie featuring a heroine with bigger breasts than Anna Nicole Smith? (Then again, when was the last time you saw a Playboy centerfold filling someone full of armor-piercing bullets?)
While the original Heavy Metal could be called a cult favorite, the soundtrack for Heavy Metal 2000 could well be the make-or-break point of the resurgence of metal's popularity. For the most part, the people who put this collection together did an excellent job - though there one or two landmines they should have avoided.
Now, I'm not going to get on my soapbox and rattle off a list of bands who should have been included on this soundtrack - for two reasons. First, though I haven't seen the film yet (and, after reading the promotional comic book that came with the press kit, I can't really say I want to), I'm guessing that each selection fits in with its corresponding scene. Second - and this is not meant as an insult - the metal scene is so fragmented as it is that everyone will have their own lists of who should or shouldn't have been included. Music supervisor Bruce Berman had a Herculean task, and for the most part, I think he chose wisely.
Consider Heavy Metal 2000 to be your guide through this musical genre as it stands today. On one side, you have the all-out assault of groups like Pantera ("Immortally Insane"), Machine Head ("Alcoholocaust") and Puya ("Tirale"); on the other side, you have more experimental metal (though that term could be argued) with groups like MDFMK ("Missing Time") and Sinisstar ("Psychosexy") rocking the house. You even have a bit of rap when Insane Clown Posse with Twiztid ("Dirt Ball") come to play.
Do you have to know who each one of these groups are? Of course not. But chances are, once you've heard some of these acts, you're going to be headed to your favorite online shop to pick some of the full-length albums up. I was especially intrigued by MDFMK, Pantera and Machine Head - three groups whose latest albums will soon be reviewed on "The Daily Vault." (Also making my short list of favorites included Queens Of The Stone Age and System Of A Down.)
For all the praise I could lavish on Heavy Metal 2000, there are two questionable inclusions, as well as one confusing track. Why Days Of The New - an act that can hardly be called a metal band - was included with their song "Rough Day" is a mystery. (If it had at least been a decent track, I'd have been more willing to overlook the inclusion.) Likewise, Bauhaus isn't a true metal act, and while "The Dog's A Vapour" isn't a bad track, it is rather anticlimactic.
As for confusion - well, I admit I was happy to see Billy Idol included on Heavy Metal 2000, but "Buried Alive" just doesn't seem like it was the perfect vehicle for Idol to use to get back in the spotlight. That's a shame - 'cause while I'm not a big fan of Idol's, I really wanted to see him succeed.
Heavy Metal 2000 is still a very enjoyable disc, and it's guaranteed to get people interested in some of the featured bands once they've heard these samples of their work. Who knows? If enough people give this disc a chance, this could be the disc that starts sending metal acts rocketing back up the charts - and I think this album has the potential to do just that.