Roadrunner United

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Roadrunner Records has evolved -- over a staggering 25-year history -- from an unassuming Dutch import company into one of the most innovative record labels in the world. Fiercely independent since its start, graced with a passionate staff, and incomparable musical talent, Roadrunner has achieved something that many labels seek and never attain, let alone maintain for a quarter-century: brand recognition. The Roadrunner logo has come to mean two things to millions of fans around the world: a high standard of [quality in musicianship and presentation, and an unwavering commitment to the best, most unique, and most intense in the hard rock and heavy metal genres. Just as Roadrunner has taken the lead so many times on the artistic side, finding and developing acts that have literally changed the face of heavy rock, so too has the label come up with a brilliant and inventive way to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Paying homage to its past, giving a nod to its future, and framing both in the most creative terms possible Roadrunner is poised to release an album of original new heavy music, played by some of the genre's best and most highly-regarded practitioners. “In June 2004, Roadrunner's owner, Cees Wessels, asked me to come up with an idea to celebrate Roadrunner's 25th anniversary,” recalls A&R visionary Monte Conner. “I knew that for it to be really special, we would need to come up with a record that involved many musicians, one that was truly a collaboration on a grand scale, with songs written by, played by and sung by different people. An album that would cover the entire history of Roadrunner and feature some of our most legendary artists from the past, right up to and including musicians from our newest signings.” The idea was formulated to create four “teams” -- each headed by a “team captain.” Each team would consist of a core of musicians -- two guitarists, bassist and drummer -- who would lay down basic tracks for four original songs written by the team captain. Each song would use a different vocalist, and no player could appear on a tune by another team. The team captain would select a studio in which to cut the instrumental tracks, while the singer was free to record where it was convenient for him and was also instructed to come up with lyrics and a vocal melody on his own. Roadrunner United was thus born in August of 2004. The label now had a year to assemble this vast and complex project, and the first things that were needed were the four cornerstone musicians -- the team captains. Several criteria were established: the captains had to be comfortable in the studio and know how to produce music they had to be primary songwriters in their own bands they had to be well-respected names in the metal field and they had to encompass the Roadrunner history from its past to its future. The four captains -- Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison, Machine Head frontman Robert Flynn, former Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares and Trivium vocalist Matthew Heafy -- filled that bill admirably. “I thought it was a great idea and was really excited about it, because it was a chance to work with a lot of artists that I really respected while I was growing up,” says Jordison. “I was just honored to be kind of the first guy they asked.” Like Jordison, Cazares was flattered to be considered: “It's definitely a compliment to be a team captain. I've been with the label since 1992, and we were a big part of Roadrunner history.” “It was awesome,” says Heafy about the experience of being selected to oversee one-quarter of this ever-expanding and important project. “Being able to see different musicians in the studio, and they way they work and play, was really cool.” Roadrunner's impressive roster -- ranging from early black metal favorites like Deicide to progressive metal wizards Cynic to the Brazilian thrash of Sepultura, not to mention the Gothic stylings of Type O Negative and the pioneering electronic metal of Fear Factory -- gave the team captains a wide and unparalleled selection of musicians to choose from. “I started thinking about people that I thought would be cool to jam with, asked everyone in my band for their ideas, and they pretty much suggested all the cool people,” recalls Robert Flynn. “My drummer, Dave McClain, suggested getting Andres Herrick, who used to be in Chimaira, while Adam (Duce, bassist) suggested having Tim Williams, formerly of V.O.D., sing. And I was like, 'That'd be killer.' I had other people in mind, but the guys in Machine Head came up with guys who were just off my radar for whatever reason.” In the end, an astounding total of 56 musicians from 44 different bands were utilized on the album, an amazing organizational feat and a sign of the respect and that each player had for each other and the label itself. “I've heard some of the tracks from the other 'teams,' and they're fuckin' unreal,” says Jordison. “This thing has come out better than anyone expected. When the captains wrote the material, they wanted to make it the best possible, and when you brought all these guys in to play, they wanted to do the best possible. Everybody stepped up.” Even as it has diversified and grown, Roadrunner has stayed true to its identity as the premier metal and heavy rock imprint in the world. “The fact that they've been able to last 25 years, putting out music as extreme as the music they put out, is pretty incredible,” muses Robert Flynn. “The few labels that I can remember when I was first getting into this music, none of those labels are around anymore.” “I grew up listening to all the bands on the label,” says Matthew Heafy. “I spent all my money on bands like Slipknot and Fear Factory and Machine Head, and now I'm on a CD with the songwriters from those bands, and it was really cool being able to watch musicians that I really look up to play in the studio.” Dino Cazares, the team captain who has the longest history with the label, sums up what has kept the label going for all those years, and why both metal fans and artists hold the company in high esteem: “Back in the day when Roadrunner first came out, you knew what you were getting if a record had the Roadrunner logo on it. If you saw that, you were buying it, because you knew it would be good quality shit. So when I signed to Roadrunner, I was like, 'Wow, I'm on Roadrunner.' It was the best label for underground metal and pushing the envelope and finding new bands. It was a real honor to be on the label, and it's still an honor to be part of Roadrunner.”

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Producers: Joey Jordison, Dino Cazares, Robert Flynn, Matthew K. Heafy 01. The Dagger Howard Jones (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - vocals Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar, vocals Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR) - solo Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums Music written by Robert Flynn Lyrics written by Howard Jones and Robert Flynn 02. The Enemy Mark Hunter (CHIMAIRA) - vocals Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) - solo, acoustic guitar Paul Gray (SLIPKNOT) - bass Roy Mayorga (ex-SOULFLY, MEDICATION)- drums Music written by Dino Cazares and Roy Mayorga Lyrics written by Mark Hunter 03. Annihilation by the Hands of God Glen Benton (DEICIDE) - vocals Matt DeVries (CHIMAIRA) - rhythm guitar Rob Barrett (CANNIBAL CORPSE, ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION) - rhythm guitar James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY)- solo Steve DiGiorgio (TESTAMENT, SADUS) - fretless bass Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums Music written by Joey Jordison and Rob Barrett Lyrics written by Glen Benton 04. In the Fire King Diamond (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE)- vocals Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM)- lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars Cory Beaulieu (TRIVIUM) - lead and rhythm guitars Mike D'Antonio (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - bass Dave Chavarri (ILL NINO) - drums Music written by Matthew K. Heafy Lyrics written by King Diamond 05. The End Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - vocals, lead guitar Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar Nadja Peulen (ex-COAL CHAMBER) - bass Roy Mayorga (ex-SOULFLY, MEDICATION) - drums Logan Mader (ex-MACHINE HEAD, SOULFLY) - melodic guitar harmonics Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY) - keyboards, programming Music written by Dino Cazares Lyrics written by Matthew K. Heafy 06. Tired 'N Lonely Keith Caputo (LIFE OF AGONY) - vocals, piano Matt Baumbach (ex-VISION OF DISORDER) - rhythm guitar Tommy Niemeyer (GRUNTRUCK) - rhythm guitar Acey Slade (MURDERDOLLS, TRASHLIGHT VISION) - rhythm guitar James Root (SLIPKNOT) - solo, harmony guitar Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums, bass Music written by Joey Jordison Lyrics written by Keith Caputo 07. Independent (Voice of the Voiceless) Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, ex-SEPULTURA) - vocals Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar, 3-part guitar harmonies, keyboards Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR) - solo Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums Music written by Robert Flynn and Phil Demmel Lyrics written by Max Cavalera 08. Dawn of a Golden Age Dani Filth (CRADLE OF FILTH) - vocals Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - lead and rhythm guitars Justin Hagberg (3 INCHES OF BLOOD) - rhythm guitars Sean Malone (ex-CYNIC) - bass Mike Smith (SUFFOCATION) - drums Music written by Matthew K. Heafy Lyrics written by Dani Filth 09. The Rich Man Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) - vocals Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar, keyboards Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums Music written by Robert Flynn Lyrics written by Corey Taylor 10. No Way Out Daryl Palumbo (GLASSJAW, HEAD AUTOMATICA) - vocals Matt Baumbach (ex-VISION OF DISORDER) - guitar, bass Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums, bass Junkie XL - programming, synths Music written by Joey Jordison and Matt Sepanic Lyrics written by Daryl Palumbo 11. Baptized in the Redemption Dez Fafara (DEVILDRIVER, ex-COAL CHAMBER) - vocals Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) - solo, wah wah guitar Paul Gray (SLIPKNOT) - bass Roy Mayorga (ex-SOULFLY, MEDICATION) - drums Music written by Dino Cazares and Roy Mayorga Lyrics written by Dez Fafara 12. Roads Mikael Åkerfeldt (OPETH) - vocals Josh Silver (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - keyboards, backing vocals Music written by Josh Silver Lyrics written by Mikael Åkerfeldt 13. Blood & Flames Jesse David Leach (SEEMLESS, ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - vocals Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars, vocals Josh Rand (STONE SOUR) - rhythm guitars Mike D'Antonio (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - bass Johnny Kelly (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - drums Music written by Matthew K. Heafy Lyrics written by Jesse David Leach 14. Constitution Down Kyle Thomas (ex-EXHORDER, FLOODGATE) - vocals Matt DeVries (CHIMAIRA) - rhythm guitar Rob Barrett (CANNIBAL CORPSE, ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION) - rhythm guitar, trade-off solo James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY) - intro solo Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND) - trade-off solo Steve DiGiorgio (TESTAMENT, SADUS) - fretless bass Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums Music written by Joey Jordison Lyrics written by Kyle Thomas 15. I Don't Wanna Be (A Superhero) Michale Graves (ex-MISFITS) - vocals Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM) - lead and rhythm guitars Justin Hagberg (3 INCHES OF BLOOD) - rhythm guitars Mike D'Antonio (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) - bass Dave Chavarri (ILL NINO) - drums Music written by Matthew K. Heafy Lyrics written by Michale Graves 16. Army of the Sun Tim Williams (BLOODSIMPLE, ex-VISION OF DISORDER) - vocals Robert Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) - rhythm guitar Jordan Whelan (STILL REMAINS) - rhythm guitar Christian Olde Wolbers (FEAR FACTORY) - bass Andols Herrick (ex-CHIMAIRA) - drums Music written by Robert Flynn and Dave McClain Lyrics written by Tim Williams 17. No Mas Control Cristian Machado (ILL NINO)- vocals Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY) - rhythm guitar Souren "Mike" Sarkisyan (SPINESHANK) - harmony guitar Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) - harmony solo Marcelo Dias (ex-SOULFLY) - bass Dave McClain (MACHINE HEAD, ex-SACRED REICH) - drums Music written by Dino Cazares and John Sankey Lyrics written by Cristian Machado 18. Enemy of the State Peter Steele (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - vocals, keyboards Steve Holt (36 CRAZYFISTS) - rhythm, acoustic and slide guitar Dave Pybus (CRADLE OF FILTH) - bass Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT) - drums Josh Silver (TYPE O NEGATIVE) - keyboards, samples Music written by Joey Jordison and Matt Sepanic Lyrics written by Peter Steele

Roadrunner United - The All Star Sessions

Tracklisting
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1. (00:05:32) Roadrunner United - The Dagger
2. (00:04:45) Roadrunner United - The Enemy
3. (00:05:34) Roadrunner United - Annihilation By The Hands Of God
4. (00:04:08) Roadrunner United - In The Fire
5. (00:03:36) Roadrunner United - The End
6. (00:03:37) Roadrunner United - Tired 'N Lonely
7. (00:04:53) Roadrunner United - Independent (Voice Of The Voiceless)
8. (00:04:10) Roadrunner United - Dawn Of A Golden Age
9. (00:06:50) Roadrunner United - The Rich Man
10. (00:03:27) Roadrunner United - No Way Out
11. (00:03:17) Roadrunner United - Baptized In The Redemption
12. (00:02:28) Roadrunner United - Roads
13. (00:05:39) Roadrunner United - Blood & Flames
14. (00:05:05) Roadrunner United - Constitution Down
15. (00:02:03) Roadrunner United - I Don't Wanna Be (A Superhero)
16. (00:03:49) Roadrunner United - Army Of The Sun
17. (00:03:02) Roadrunner United - No Mas Control
18. (00:05:09) Roadrunner United - Enemy Of The State

Playing Time: 01:17:02

Year: 2005
VBR (~256kbps)

Part1.rar 81mb
Part2.rar 52mb