It's almost like listening to underworld radio, what with these sinister talk-ups in between the many Hellish tracks featured on this "Monsters of Metal" compilation.

Yes kids, the Cryptkeeper has returned just in time for the upcoming Halloween season with a frightening new set of scare tactics and all time classics from the beyond.

And after the opening intro that ends with the scratchy little bastard and his "Listen Up Creeps…" lead-in the terror begins with the mighty Sabbath opus "Heaven & Hell…" and though it's only the beginning, rest not assured that there'll be no timely passing taking place during the next hour or so.

Armored Saint, fresh off a long overdue new record makes their only appearance with the appropriately titled "Creepy Feelings," and if you somehow managed to overlook the new record several months before, take a listen to this one and see if it doesn't put things in the proper perspective!

With the emergence in recent years of all of these wonderful horror flicks, the door's been flung back open for the best of the worst-the always listener challenged breed that is heavy metal, and the bands that help create it.

Yes such culturally deficient icons such as The Cryptkeeper, Freddy, Jason and Chucky to name a few have always gone hand in hand with the darkside… the underside, or bloodstained musical bed that's always increased and incensed the dramatic visualizations of your favorite splatter scene!

Here's Anthrax and their "Bordello of Blood," a cut-up version from the original first brandished back in '93, while Pantera's "Cemetary Gates" sets the next stage and as we delve ever deeper into the darkness here amidst the evening fog as the chilly air begins to take hold…

The little creep really pulled out all the stops for this latest "Monsters of Metal" masterpiece which, in spite of there being no particular film or episode being portrayed, this is a true headbanging assault in the grimmest tradition, featuring the best of the past, like Megadeth's "Five Magics," believe it or not, and how about Dio and "Don't Talk to Strangers" from the "Holy Diver" classic?

Within it all, there's plenty of time devoted for The Cryptkeeper's well-placed banter and eerie introductions-self-indulgence to the extreme-there's five of 'em in all plus the ending!

All told, this collection is more about demonic imagery rather than sheer brutality where a "Bloodsport" type of title would be more the norm.

But I'll say one thing, The Cryptkeeper's right on target here-fitting for one of the world's favorite dead people to dig up some of these longtime graveyard classics-did you ever think you'd see a metal compilation with the likes of Entombed, The Haunted or Metal Church?

"Monsters of Metal" is every bit of that and a whole lot more than I could've ever expected… and that's even considering that W.A.S.P.'s "Hellion" is nowhere to be found!

Yes, this sinister psycho really places his burnt finger on the pulse of… well, let's just say we've uprooted quite a few of yesterday's restless wanderers and a few of today's dispelled spirits who've found the other side to be not quite so peaceful as it seems.

Released by The Right Stuff

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]