The Story Behind Eight of Brütal Legend's Deepest Cuts

10/14/2009 9:51 AM | 6 Comments | Page 1 of 2

There's no question that Brütal Legend designer Tim Schafer loves metal. The game's deep soundtrack slaughters any possibility of doubt. This collection of 75 bands and 108 tracks has the expected familiar stuff: Motörhead's "We Are the Road Crew" and Ozzy's "Diary of a Madman," let's say. But the playlist shines with really deep cuts that will destroy your speakers. Not a lot of ink is dedicated to bands like Riot and Coroner these days, so here's your primer for eight of the killer choices that liven up this legend.

(A note: In the game, the primary means for listening to tunes is through your sweet ride, The Deuce. I've taken some artistic liberty and suggested points to listen to these tracks where they might not be available. Just get into the spirit of things and stay with me, OK?)

Riot, "Narita"

If I had to peg one perennially forgotten, underrated power metal album, it would be Riot's "Thundersteel." These in-game tracks are not from that record, but they highlight founding guitarist Mark Reale's skills all the same. And check this: "Narita," the record that holds this tune, is from 1979. This song predates almost the entire recorded output of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), which is the scene that famously influenced Metallica and therefore just about every other damn metal band assembled after 1983. It's fast, heavy, catchy and way ahead of its time.


Feedback: Thanks to its documentary, Anvil is the poster child for unfairly unsuccessful metal bands, and of course it's on this soundtrack. But Riot held that sad title before Anvil ever made a record. If Riot had better management and (let's face it) better album covers, it might have been the U.S. answer to the NWOBHM. What the hell is that thing on the cover of so many Riot albums, anyway?

Recommended listening while: Cruising the South American-like landscape in search of hidden treasures before you undertake the fiery task of corralling Metal Beasts to join your fight.


Budgie, "Breadfan"

Speaking of the NWOBHM, here's another not-so-famous band that influenced that movement. The difference between Budgie and Riot is that Metallica covered Budgie twice. Its version of "Crash Course in Brain Surgery" appeared on "Garage Days Re-Revisited," and "Breadfan" was the B-side to "Harvester of Sorrow" in '88. Already having heard the A-side a million times, I flipped the cassingle (1988!) over, was destroyed by "Breadfan," and promptly went back into the store to find some Budgie. ("Garage Days" credited songwriters, not bands, so I didn't know that Budgie was covered on that, too.)


Feedback: The song hails from "Never Turn Your Back on a Friend," featuring cover art by Roger Dean. The artist illustrated Yes and Asia sleeves (OK, not so metal) in addition to many a Psygnosis videogame cover. His fantastic alien art style is a serious influence on Brütal Legend's landscape.

Recommended listening while: Aimlessly driving along the coastline while ruminating on the progression of the "friendship" between Eddie and Ophelia. The acoustic breakdown in "Breadfan" is perfectly suited to some quiet, poignant reflection.


Coroner, "Skeleton on Your Shoulder"

The too-often unsung heroes of progressive thrash, Coroner made a series of five records that were ever more technically impressive but never lost the all-important feel for great riffs. Serpentine guitar leads are complimented by Ron Royce's oddly reptilian voice and a surprisingly complex rhythm section. This track is from their second record, "Punishment for Decadence," a disc that may not have ever left my car and/or iPod since I first heard it in 1988. It's heavy, atmospheric, slightly weird and so truly metal.


Feedback: Brütal Legend is a love letter to the reliable roadie, so it would have been criminal to omit Coroner from the soundtrack. The band was originally the road crew for Celtic Frost, and CF main man Tom G. Warrior actually sang in the original version of the band.

Recommended listening while: Riding the stealthy roadies whose feedback-producing speaker stacks turn into one of the game's best weapons.


Carcass, "No Love Lost"

There's not a lot of true hardcore death metal in the playlist, but that's forgiven as soon as "No Love Lost" comes up. The landmark 1993 record "Heartwork," from which this track hails, is the first in this list I'd say you must simply buy, period, if it's not on your shelf already. With this disc, Carcass moved beyond its grindcore roots (blast beats and gore-filled lyrics) into a death-metal arena, and didn't falter for a second. Anyone who tells you that the change means Carcass failed or sold out isn't f***ing listening. Few albums make the deep vocals and intricate chops of death metal so accessible and -- shocker! -- catchy.


Feedback: Alien designer H.R. Giger created the sculpture that graces the cover of "Heartwork," and the super-shiny metal could easily be hanging in the silky chrome grotto of Brütal Legend's massive metal spider. It's the Easter egg that should have been.

Recommended listening while: Cruising the Deuce through enemy general Lionwhyte's gaudy palace. The crunchy riff is perfect for making kindling out of all those chaise lounges.