Published on Nov 15, 1998
DISCLAIMER: I have never seen an ECW match either in person or
on video. My comments about the league are based solely on message
boards and wrestling websites such as
http://www.otherarena.com,
http://www.wrestlemaniacs.com/main.html,
and
http://www.hadeswrestling.com.
That said, for those who don’t know, ECW is an acronym for
Extreme Championship Wrestling. From what I can gather on the
internet, ECW is a rougher, tougher and meaner version of WCW and
the WWF. Apparently, matches have included a bunch of thumbtacks
thrown on the mat so that when a wrestler is bodyslammed,
thumbtacks puncture their back. Apparently, barbed wire is
sometimes used for the ring ropes so the wrestlers get bloody. And,
apparently, it is a springboard for wrestlers into the WWF and WCW.
Among the list of those that have jumped from ECW to one of the big
two include Saturn, Raven, Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Chris
Jericho, Scorpio, Mankind/Cactus Jack/Dude Love, Terry Funk, and
two recent jumpers, Bam Bam Bigelow (though his jump is not 100%
confirmed) and Sandman (who is supposed to appear in WCW within the
next couple of months.)
For those who don’t give a damn about wrestling, and my wife is
one of them, or who don’t know any of the wrestlers I mentioned
above, this CD is a collection of some of metal’s powerhouse bands
with new versions of songs. The songs are each associated with a
wrestler.
There’s a remix of White Zombie’s “El Phantasmo and the Chicken
Run Blast-O-Rama.” There are some subtle changes to this version,
but for the most part, White Zombie is White Zombie and Rob kicks
ass. There’s Megadeth’s instrumental version of “Trust” where an
additional guitar plays the vocal melody. There’s Motorhead’s
version of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” While “Enter Sandman” is
one of my favorite songs, Lemmy breathes new life into the seven
year old song. The looser hi-hat is probably the most notable
difference between this version and Hetfield and company’s.
There’s Kilgore’s version of Pantera’s “Walk.” One of my
favorite Pantera songs is given a good treatment. There’s Bruce
Dickinson’s version of Scorpions’ “The Zoo.” Sounds like Iron
Maiden covering the song, which is good. There’s Anthrax’s version
of Metallica’s “Phantom Lord.” Is Charlie Benante a kick ass
drummer or what? He adds some different fills that fit the song.
There’s Tres Diablos’ version of ZZ Top’s “Heard it on the X.” Tres
Diablos is the drummer, guitarist and bassist from Pantera. Drummer
Vinnie Paul sings. Intense. Hopefully, ego man Phil Anselmo will
let him sing this in a Pantera concert!
There are some duds too. Monster Magnet continue to not impress
me at all with their musical vision. “Kick Out the Jams,” while
upbeat, is still stupid. “Well, I feel pretty good / and I guess
could get crazy now baby.” Maybe I’m still bitter vocalist Dave
Wyndorf skipped their Cedar Rapids, Iowa, gig because he was eating
the most “amazing spaghetti dinner” ever. Please.
Muscadine’s version of AC/DC’s “Big Balls” is so muddled vocally
it’s not pathetic. Either sing or give it up if you don’t like the
song you’re covering. The performance sounds half-assed.
Apparently, ECW is on the verge of signing a deal with a major
network which would get them national exposure. As a wrestling fan,
I hope this happens. I’ve had enough of Hulk Hogan declaring his
candidacy for presidency and Vince McMahon using the word “screw”
as in “Stone Cold Steve Austin, you’re going to get screwed out of
the belt.”
Whether you’re into wrestling or not, this CD is a cool
collection of the metal scene’s top commercially successfully
bands. According to the CD booklet,
Extreme Music 2 is supposed to be coming out in Spring 1999.
Whether that means March or May, I’m not sure.