Roadrunner are no strangers to werewolf films, having provided the soundtrack to Ginger Snaps.  New film Underworld, however, is something different. The film itself is a Romeo and Juliet tale of forbidden love between a vampire and werewolf (so I gather), and the soundtrack is dark, atmospheric and completely devoid of Roadrunner's usual roster of metal acts.

The vision behind it all is provided by Nine Inch Nails' Danny Lohner, but he ropes in an impressive lists of guests, including David Bowie, Wes (ex-Limp Bizkit) Borland, Richard Patrick (Filter) and Maynard James Keenan (Tool/A Perfect Circle).  Lohner himself provides significant input - writing, producing or remixing many of the tracks - including adding a touch of Joy Division to Bowie's new 'Bring Me The Disco King' and performing the score (as 'Renholder').

Although it's not the highlight of the album, it's the score that really sets the tone, with recognisable songs standing out from between the interludes.  The real star of the show though is the first new track from Canadian industrial fore-fathers Skinny Puppy (albeit without, as far as I can tell, Bill Leeb), which though one of their more commercial efforts (in the vein of 'Dig It') certainly reminds us what we’ve been missing, and teaches copyists a thing or two.

Other treats that will appeal to fans are the remixed versions of A Perfect Circle's new 'Weak & Powerless' and first single 'Judith', which has been stripped to the bones and reconstructed (not unlike Fear Factory's Remanufacture) so that only the vocals are recognisable.

Overall, the whole is more significant than its parts, providing a moody and dramatic backdrop that would probably suit the film, without many songs really standing out.  Some of those that do, however, do so for the wrong reasons.  The first new offering from Dillinger Escape Plan with new vocalist Gregory Puciato (and, to a lesser extent, Finch's 'Worms Of The Earth') really break up the flow - and no matter how good they are, they were never going to suit the mood, so their inclusion is a little puzzling.

Otherwise, this is an impressively moving collection, with a couple of rare little treats hidden away for Skinny Puppy/APC fans that'll probably make the album a must buy for them…
(4/5)

Release Date: 08 September 2003

Underworld