Deathmatch features wide array of tunes
By RYAN WILKINSON
Staff Writer
When blatant commercialism and 90s claymation join forces, there can only be one result: “MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch,” from Iterscope Records.
The once Super Bowl halftime show “Celebrity Deathmatch” has grown into a weekly series on MTV complete with authentic celebrity appearances by the likes of professional wrestlers “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and the Undertaker. It was only a matter of time before music executives decided to cash in, too.
Leading off is Marilyn Manson with “Astonishing Panorama of the Endtimes,” Manson’s best work since the early days of “Portrait of an American Family.” With creepy vocals and extremely hard-core guitar riffs “Panorama” takes an internal look at the brainwashing effects of the media, concluding with a haunting chant of “Kill your god/ kill your TV.”
Eminem offers up “My Fault,” a comedic yet sadistic look at the negative effects of consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms. The song tells the story of a young lady in the company of Eminem who eats a large dose of ‘shrooms one night, and the ensuing madness, panic, and excitement.
Powerman 5000 sings a song that actually has to do with fighting, and they call it “Standing 8.” Spider and crew show a groovy side that most people probably can’t conceive of when listening to their debut “TONIGHT THE STARS REVOLT.”
In a very creative and highly entertaining rap, the Last Emperor speaks of deathmatches he would like to see. “Secret Wars” depicts battles between hip-hop stars and comic book characters. Such match-up include Lauryn Hill versus Storm, and Method Man battling Magnito.
“Celebrity Deathmatch” is one of the few compilation albums to bring together a variety of good artists. This soundtrack has a tremendous diversity of music on it, including Bif Naked, Rob Zombie, and the Wondergirls, a group made up of boys (like Mark McGrath and Scott Weiland).
Executive Producers Karyn Rachtman, Ed Paparo, and Jason McGuire did a great job of bringing together great music from many scenes. However, one has to wonder why this album was put out in the first place. There’s really no point or value to the release of a television show that has no human beings in it. Fortunately, the music is good, and the show is still entertaining. In the end, entertainment wins out over logic.
Grade: B
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Wednesday, November 17, 1999
2:45 PM