movie soundtracks / albums

Resident Evil: Apocalypse cows predictably to the film's target audience, unleashing a torrent of teenage boy-friendly alt metal. As a moneymaker, it's unscrupulous. And yet the aggression, mania, and generally apocalyptic tone of this material fits well with a movie based on a video game about blowing away crazy zombies. The usual suspects populate dark corners, including professional scary guys like Slipknot and Rammstein, as well as middling work from types like the Used and Cold. But there are also previously unreleased remixes from A Perfect Circle ("Outsider") and Rob Zombie ("Girl on Fire"). Underappreciated Italian goth metal outfit Lacuna Coil contributes "Swamped" from their 2002 effort Comalies, and even if Cradle of Filth's "Nymphetamine" is as cheesy and decadent as you'd expect with a name like that, it's bolstered by guest vocals from Leaves' Eyes frontwoman Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull. After all, what horror/actioner would be complete without a Krull reference? Other notable inclusions on Resident Evil: Apocalypse include "Join Me In Death" from Finnish goth poppers H.I.M., Deftones covering Duran Duran's "Chauffeur" quite capably, and a typically chilly trip-hop piece from Massive Attack. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide