Back in 2005 Roadrunner Records celebrated their 25th anniversary by assembling both members and alumni of the label’s roster at the time for a project known as ‘Roadrunner United‘. In addition to delivering an album of new collaborative songs from members of Slipknot, Fear Factory, Trivium, Machine Head, Chimaira and more tiled “The All-Star Sessions“, the celebrations also resulted in a December 15th, 2005 live concert celebrating that album and the label’s legacy.
The core lineup for that performance was comprised of Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares, late Slipknot, etc. drummer Joey Jordison, Sepultura guitarist Andreas Kisser, HELLYEAH, Stone Sour drummer Roy Mayorga and then Machine Head bassist Adam Duce.
Both of those releases are now set to be reissued across vinyl, CD and digital formats on March 10th, 2023. The live concert performance has been remastered in high definition formats for the upcoming reissue as well. Below you can watch the live rendition of “The End” from that set.
Trivium vocalist/guitarist Matt Heafy reflected on being one of the four team captains to oversee that collection of songs:
“The Roadrunner United album was something I still have a hard time believing that it happened. A 19-year-old me being enlisted to be able to write anything I wanted… while picking a dream lineup of my favorite musicians every single every song? I am still honored and grateful to have been allowed this amazing experience. All I can say is… I want to do Part II.”
Machine Head vocalist/guitarist Robb Flynn, who also served as a captain, added:
“I had a couple of riffs left over from [2004 Machine Head album] Through the Ashes of Empires that I hadn’t ended up using, so brought them into play first-off for Roadrunner United. The song that really kicked it off for me was ‘The Dagger‘. I was like, ‘Man, this is a fucking banger. I don’t know if I even want to give this away!’ I actually told the label, ‘If you can lock in Howard [Jones] from Killswitch Engage to do the vocals, you can have it. Otherwise, I’m keeping it for Machine Head!’
We had so much fun when Howard flew in to record that song at my studio. He only had about three sentences of lyrics prepared, so we spent hours talking over what the song could be about, and then he freestyled a bunch. I remember him getting up, walking into the vocal booth, and just belting out this fucking insane scream, this screech! It became the sound that opens the whole record.”
Pre-orders can be found here. If you’re unfamiliar with the album and the concert, you can find more info here.
Comments