Dead Zeppelin: A Metal Tribute to Led Zeppelin (CD, Oct-2000, Dwell Ministries)

Album Features
UPC:	027297105522
Format:	CD
Release Year:	2000
Record Label:	Dwell Ministries
Genre:	Death Metal, Heavy Metal

Track Listing
1. Kashmir - Silent Stream of Godless Elegy
2. Communication Breakdown - Arise [Metal]
3. Rock and Roll - Solus
4. Immigrant Song - Anno Daemonicus
5. In the Light - Vladimirs
6. Ocean, The - Post Mortem
7. Wearing and Tearing - Wasteland
8. Living Loving Maid - Doxomedon
9. Out on the Tiles - Malamor
10. Achilles Last Stand - Assisting Sorrow
11. Nobody's Fault But Mine - Orange Moon
12. When the Levee Breaks - Black Debbath

Details
Distributor:	Ryko Distribution
Recording Type:	Studio
Recording Mode:	Stereo
SPAR Code:	n/a

Album Notes
There have been several Led Zeppelin tribute albums, most notably the alternative rock-oriented Encomium, but until the Dwell label's Dead Zeppelin: A Metal Tribute to Led Zeppelin, there had never been one devoted exclusively to heavy metal bands. The idea makes sense, since Zep had such a huge influence on heavy metal. The artist roster, unfortunately, is typical Dwell: obscure groups who have never recorded a full-length album (rare is the Dwell tribute-album artist who does go on to do so). But the real problem is predictability. Where the interpretations on Encomium often serve to highlight the strength and versatility of Led Zep's songwriting, placing the songs in unexpected yet effective new settings, the versions on Dead Zeppelin all too often obscure the strength of the material, turning it into competent but generic thrash or death metal. Many of the bands also lack the understanding of subtlety and dynamics that made Zeppelin records so sophisticated -- and while they certainly aren't obligated to re-create the original arrangements, they don't really substitute anything all that memorable. If you simply want to hear ultra-heavy takes on Led Zeppelin tunes, you'll probably enjoy Dead Zeppelin, but if you're looking for something more revelatory, you'll have to wait a little longer. ~ Steve Huey