Resistance Is Futile

The year is 2027. Korea has staged a hostile invasion of American soil, and it’s up to ordinary citizens to fight back and save their country. This is the premise behind THQ’s Homefront, a first-person shooter game released early this year. As part of a “vast transmedia strategy”, the developers also commissioned a companion soundtrack. And what kind of music says “guerilla warfare?’ That’s right. Metal! Assembling some of the finest modern metal acts to cover anti-war songs of past and present, Homefront: Songs For The Resistance is an idea that sounds strange on paper, but pays off in a huge way for the listener.

Metal covers of classic songs can be hit or miss, and this depends entirely on the band in question’s ability to think outside the box. As I Lay Dying’s opening salvo of Slayer’s “War Ensemble” is a faithful interpretation, but there’s not much else to be done in a “metal-on-metal” situation like this. Similar hang-ups occur with Periphery’s version of Metallica’s “One” and iwrestledabearonce on Muse’s “Uprising.” Not enough risks were taken to make these songs distinct from the original, which makes one wonder: why not just listen to the original? The Dillinger Escape Plan’s version of Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power,” with guest vocals from Chuck D himself, however, is swaddled in that distinct brand of pointy madness that only DEP can deliver. The same is true for deathcore act Oceano’s take on Edwin Starr’s anthemic “War,” with Adam Warren’s indescribable growls and the band’s sludge stings adding new menace.

Not to be missed is Arsonists Get All The Girls’ amazing interpretation of Bob Dylan’s “Masters Of War.” Ricocheting wildly from metalcore to grind to thrash, and even into reggae, the song is exciting and engaging from start to finish. It’s also a testament to the songwriting talents of Dylan, in that his song could be reinterpreted so drastically and still retain its impact. Even if the other covers were just average (and most are far above average, to be clear), this song could carry the record. It’s that good.

Sadly, THQ only released 25,000 downloads of this record. So unless you were one of the lucky few, or a physical CD is in the works, this will be hard to find. However, if you do manage to find it, don’t hesitate to pick it up, and discover a whole new side to some of your favorite anti-establishment classics.