The latest in Roadrunner Records’ annual DVD series – the imaginatively titled Roadrage 2007 – is another opportunity to showcase relatively rare videos from the label’s rock and metal stable. Such is the nature of these compilations, it’s unlikely that everything will be to anyone but the most hardcore fan’s tastes – indeed Nickelback, despite being one of the label’s biggest-selling acts, are judiciously placed towards the end, probably for that very reason.

When I first saw the line-up, the first thing I noticed was the absence of former heavyweight names Soulfly and Fear Factory. I was also disappointed by the absence of Within Temptation, though their ex- pianist Martijn Westerholt’s new band, Delain, go some way to fill the void and are amongst a few relative-unknowns who shine here.

Of the bigger acts who are present, I’m not a big fan of Stone Sour personally, but their three videos probably reflect the greater commercial appeal of Corey ‘Slipknot’ Taylor’s side-project, and maybe explain why there’s only a single live track from his ‘main’ band. Trivium, however, hold the torch high for metal fans, with three videos of their own, most notably ‘Anthem (We Are The Fire)’. Sadly, I thought Machine Head failed to live up to their high standards on all counts, with a video looking like something of VHS quality that they’d have made ten years ago.

The necessarily mixed nature of the compilation is further complicated by the fact that quality of video need not go hand in hand with that of the song. I’ve never liked Devildriver for instance, but they at least mitigate the fact of their presence with a decent video. Among others worthy of particular mention are Megadeth’s ‘A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free)’ – a remake of their 1994 song, featuring Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil – and one that will no doubt polarise opinion everywhere, Cradle of Filth’s cover of the Heaven 17 hit ‘Temptation’, featuring Dirty Harry. Generally speaking, the standard of videos is high, with few artists relying excessively on live footage, although there are several who seem addicted to the idea of seeing themselves on TV (Trivium, Megadeth, Porcupine Tree and Still Remains all being amongst those using this technique).

It’s unlikely that everything will appeal to anyone, but few music channels show much metal and since 34 videos for a budget price isn’t bad by anyone’s reckoning this is likely to keep any headbanger happy for a couple of hours.

(4/5)