On December 15th 2005, in New York City, Roadrunner Records celebrated its 25th Anniversary with the “Metal concert to end all metal concerts.” 39 musicians, representing 25 different Roadrunner bands, performed 25 songs from 19 different bands’ repertoire. This unique and unprecedented aggregation of musicians was no jam session. Each song was studiously rehearsed and arranged, coming together with exuberant perfection, to produce a concert that can only be called “legend.” I reviewed the album in 2005 and now finally, after three years, also the DVD gets its release.

Disc 1 – Documentary
In this 75-minute documentary, you get a nice mixture of interviews with several musicians which contributed to Roadrunner United and footage of the concert itself. You get to see a lot of the guys sharing their vision on the night of the concert. It’s nice to see these people so enthusiastic. Quite a bunch even dare to state that this was the greatest night ever in their career, which quite nicely illustrates what you can expect on DVD. Furthermore, it’s just a fun documentary, which of course holds some hilarious moments. If you consider yourself a Roadrunner Records fan – old or new – this sure is interesting to watch. One small point of criticism might be that all the people have literally not one thing to complain about. Now, that isn’t weird when celebrating such a great night with free alcohol, but it might give you the feeling that you’re watching a one-dimensional documentary. But, as Corey Taylor (Slipknot) states at the end of the documentary, it’s for the fans. It’s nice that they as artists had a blast, but without the fans there would be no Roadrunner Records and no Roadrunner United performing on stage. And if I say so myself, they sure pleased a lot of fans with this release.

Disc 2 – The concert
Then the concert itself. What can I say, what can I say? This is just one big, unique concert with so many rockstars on stage, that you may sometimes wonder who the hell you’re watching now. Anyway, after a short introduction by Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta, the show starts with some pounding hardcore classics. It immediately sets the tone for an energetic show. And I’m talking energetic artists here, ‘cause I don’t know what the crowd was thinking that night, but to me they seem rather on ease. As if they’re watching some second-hand show in a small venue. Really weird! I’d go completely outta my mind, that’s for sure!

At the end of day, I think it’s of no use to describe the whole show, ‘cause that can be done in one word only; fantastic! Whether you like old Roadrunner classics like Mercyful Fate or King Diamond, or new bands like Trivium, this disc has it all! Or, as Jamey Jasta states: “You can’t consider yourself a hardcore kid or a metalhead without owning at least one Roadrunner album.” Couldn’t have said it any better.

Some unique moments are the reunion of Jesse Leech with his old mates from Killswitch Engage, Glen Benton in his armored suit and the really funny Brian Fair (Shadows Fall), who is completely hammered during his version of Soulfly’s ‘Eye for an Eye’. It’s nothing but joy, smiling faces and damn fine music on stage. Just check it out once, I’m sure you’ll like some of the songs!

Again, one point of criticism here. Most of the times the artists play songs from other bands, but for some reason Keith Caputo did one of his own songs and so did Trivium. Too bad, ‘cause it’s more fun to see somebody else doing those songs. But hell, that’s just one small minor to a great DVD package. Worth your money if you’re a fan.

Tracklisting:
01. Biohazard’s Punishment
02. Madball’s Set it Off
03. Stromtroopers of Death’s March of the S.O.D.
04. Life of Agony’s River Runs Red
05. Obituary’s The End Complete
06. Mercyful Fate’s Curse of the Pharaohs
07. King Diamond’s Abigail
08. Annihilator’s Alison Hell
09. Deicide’s Dead By Dawn
10. Trivium’s Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr
11. Killswitch Engage’s My Last Serenade
12. Chimaira’s Pure Hatred
13. Fear Factory’s Replica
14. Type O Negative’s Black No. 1
15. Roadrunner United’s Tired ‘N Lonely
16. Stone Sour’s Bother
17. Roadrunner United’s The Rich Man
18. Roadrunner United’s The Dagger
19. Roadrunner United’s The End
20. Soulfly’s Eye for an Eye
21. Sepultura’s Refuse/Resist
22. Slipknot’s Surfacing
23. Machine Head’s Davidian
24. Slipknot’s (sic)
25. Sepultura’s Roots Bloody Roots