Queen of the Damned

Today's darkest, edgiest rockers take solo turns singing brand-new songs by Korn's Jonathan Davis and Richard Gibbs for the soundtrack album to the vampire flick "Queen Of The Damned." In the film, the rock band led by the vampire Lestat is called Satan's Night Out. On the album, those original songs are performed by Wayne Static of Static-X, David Draiman of Disturbed, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, Jay Gordon of Orgy, and Marilyn Manson. Also heard are tracks from Papa Roach, Deftones, Disturbed, Static-X, Earshot, Godhead, kidneythieves, Tricky and Dry Cell. "Queen Of The Damned" is so heavy, it's freakin' scary.

Befitting the film's hip goth vibe, its accompanying soundtrack is suitably dark and sexy, with a strong mix of new songs and nü-metal hits. In an interesting move, Korn frontman Jonathan Davis collaborated with composer (and former Oingo Boingo keyboardist) Richard Gibbs on 5 of the CD's 14 tracks, though Davis doesn't sing his songs. Instead, taking those duties are Static-X's Wayne Static on "Not Meant for Me," Disturbed's David Draiman on "Forsaken," Linkin Park's Chester Bennington on "System," Marilyn Manson on "Redeemer," and Orgy's Jay Gordon on "Slept So Long." Most of the Davis-Gibbs collaborations are akin to more atmospheric, dramatic Korn tunes, lent a distinctive personality by each singer, with Manson's being the creepiest-coolest and most aggressive entry. While these adroit alliances make the soundtrack a must-have for each of the band's fans (not to mention the Korn faithful), the previously released cuts are also winners. Deftones' creepy "Change," Papa Roach's angry "Dead Cell," and Disturbed's memorable rage "Down with the Sickness"--in addition to lesser-known, but sinister and titillating offerings from Godhead, Kidney Thieves, Earshot, Tricky, and others--are all worth the price of admission to this "damned" stellar soundtrack. --Katherine Turman