Due to recording commitments, there’s no Roadrage tour this autumn (one’s scheduled for early next year), but Roadrunner have still seen fit to release their annual video compilation (now in its third year) on DVD. Showcasing most of the label’s roster – from Slipknot to Nickelback – means it won’t all be for everyone. Generally though, it’s heavier than last year’s, as their deal with Ferret Records sees the inclusion of artists like Every Time I Die, Scarlet and Twelve Tribes.

Unfortunately a few very current releases haven’t made it (Zao and Cradle Of Filth most prominently), but still it’s so jam-packed with 26 recent tracks that, unlike previous years, they haven’t had room to bring some old classics to DVD format – another shame really, but you can hardly blame them with returns to form from Machine Head, Slipknot and Fear Factory nestled alongside promising newer bands like 36 Crazyfists and Dirty Americans.

Of course, the videos are fairly low budget, but whereas last time I thought too many bands played it straight with live/in studio room performances, here more try to elaborate slightly on that theme. Particular credit must go to Dirty Americans and the animated To My Surprise videos for being the most interesting. In fact, bigger names suffer slightly in comparison – Soulfly producing a fairly typical ‘in a desert’ video (much like Sepultura’s ‘Territory’) and Fear Factory break from their usual futuristic machine routine, but don’t really know what else to do. For the most part, though, the videos provide suitably entertaining complements to the music.

There are no extras, but it’s probably a better selection of videos than the Kerrang TV playlist, and at least you can always skip the ones you don’t like. Available at a budget price, it’s worth adding to your collection, but not essential viewing.

(3½/5)