What really needs to be said about this disc? A lot, actually. If you *still* don't have any Rampage, consider this a starter kit. If you do have some Rampage, you still want this, for a number of reasons. First of all, for the uninitiated, Rampage write the best death/thrash in the industry. Highly catchy, very heavy, puerile and evil, and even a touch of humor, they have put out album after album of the most enjoyable metal I've ever heard. And I've been a metalhead since about 1983. In other words, I rank Rampage up there with Slayer, Venom and Exodus and Possessed. Notice I didn't say Metallica, Megadeth or Anthrax, because Rampage blows those puny shits out of the water. This is actually a recording of Rampage's live show on KCUF.org's Underground Internet Radio broadcast, with the additional of several tracks that weren't broadcast on that fateful day. A huge number of Rampage classics are included here, including Bloody Leg, Born in Hell, DeadRot, Satanic Death, Gates of the Abyss, Cocksucker, Six Bells at Midnight, Rampage, Ticket to Hell and The Round Mound of Rebound, which come from "This End Up" and the "Mysogeny" e.p. There are also 2 tracks from the newest Rampage release "Bellum Infinitum", which is a bit of a departure from previous Rampage releases. (More on that in another review.) As if all of that weren't enough, we are treated to some very enigmatic covers from Creedence Clearwater Revival, Dire Straits and Venom. There is also a more or less straight forward cover of Possessed's "Twisted Minds". The inclusion of the Possessed cover is particularly appropriate, as Rampage approximates the style of "Seven Churches" from the aforementioned band. But rather than being clones, they are a band that wears their influence on their sleeve. Even so, they do a lot of things that set them apart from any bands that are pure retro. "Cocksucker" is a great grind blast. "Rampage" could be on the radio, or on a fraternity movie soundtrack, at least. This band is very hard to pigeonhole, as they are evolving, but without ever betraying their roots, or the values the band was founded upon. They have never written any filler material, and I don't expect them to do so anytime soon, unlike many death bands who seem to be releasing whole albums of filler. Rampage rock, d00d. They also get extra points for the porn-themed front and back covers. Stop being suck a tight-fisted prick and buy something. With all the sell-out shite going on with former metal bands, we need to support independent artists like Rampage and Fireaxe, who continue to persevere and release great music.

© 2000 jason gortician