[Album Review] Various Artists - 'Batman: Arkham City - The Album'

When you think of DC's Dark Knight. Batman, you automatically think of Gotham Cities night backdrop, darkened alleyways and the worlds most sadistic villains. So why is it when it comes to soundtracks and album's based on the series films or games, labels choose the strangest selection of songs? We'll let the whole Prince soundtrack slide because he's well….Prince. Duh. Normally when I think of Batman soundtracks the first song that comes to mind is Seal's "Kiss From A Rose" and I have no bad things to say about that song because it's still a classic. But besides that song being amazing and all, the "pop" soundtrack for our dark superhero doesn't seem all that fitting.

So let fast forward to present day, because I know everyone wants to avoid talking about the Batman & Robin film, let alone the soundtrack. After 2009's successful action, adventure game Batman: Arkham Asylum, The Dark Knight and associates return for the series' follow up sequel Batman: Arkham City. Unlike the first game, Warner Bros. decided to approach the sequel with a more marketable approach and release the game's score as well as an album inspired by the game on their imprint Watertower Music and bring in some of modern day's popular rock bands such as Panic! At The Disco, Coheed and Cambria, System of a Down's Serj Tankian, AFI vocalist Davey Havok's side project Blaqk Audio, Deftones vocalist Chino Moreno's side project ††† (Crosses), Daughtry and many more.

As stated, earlier when you think of Batman you think of a dark setting but when you see a band like Panic! At The Disco, who are more theatrical rock, involved on a Batman related project, it just makes you scratch your head a bit and ask why? Don't get me wrong though, this in no way should prevent you from checking out the album at all. It's a wonderful collective of artist and songs, especially cuts like the heavy tune "Trophy Widow" by The Damned Things, The Boxer Rebellion's "Losing You", A Place to Bury Strangers' "In The Shadow", Blaqk Audio's "Afterdark" which is one of the songs I could definitely hear fitting in with the game's setting, same as other tunes like †††'s "The Years", Raveonettes' "Oh, Stranger", Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's "Shadow on the Run" and Serj Tankian's "Total Paranoia". You could take a majority of those songs and remove the vocals and they would fit in with overall atmosphere of the game.

Overall, I like to think of the album as just another compilation rather than a soundtrack or album that is being accompanied to the franchise's latest entry. A majority of the album is very enjoyable, however, the comic nerd in me just can't picture some of it in the game's setting but if you can get past that then you got yourself a nice rock/electronic album for your ears to vibe to. So go give it a try and check out some of the standout tracks we listed above. The album is now available at physical retailers and via major electronic retailers such as iTunes and Amazon. If you are looking into nabbing the game, as most of us are, and you dig the soundtrack, look into getting the Collector's Edition of the game which features a digital redemption code for the soundtrack and features an additional exclusive track. Nice!

Sample all tracks on the album below...

1. Panic! At The Disco "Mercenary" Idolator
2. Coheed and Cambria "Deranged" IGN
3. The Duke Spirit "Creature" NME
4. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "Shadow On The Run" Rolling Stone
5. Blaqk Audio "Afterdark" Alternative Press
6. Raveonettes "Oh, Stranger" AOL/Spinner
7. (Crosses) "The Years" Consequence of Sound
8. The Damned Things "Trophy Widow" Guitar World
9. Daughtry "Drown In You" E!
10. The Boxer Rebellion "Losing You" Filter Magazine
11. Serj Tankian "Total Paranoia"  Revolver Magazine

We give Batman: Arkham City - The Album 3 out of 5 Awesome SAWSES! It's not Seal's "Kiss From A Rose" but its definitely a worthy rock compilation.

[Watch] The Damned Things - "We've Got A Situation Here" Live on Jimmy Kimmel

As you know, I took a liking to The Damned Things as soon as I heard about them mid last year. Their debut, Ironiclast is full of hooks and a good listen which I kind of expected considering the calibre of musician in the band. You can head on over here to pick up the debut which dropped in December. In the mean time take a look at their performance of lead single "We've Got A Situation Here" on Jimmy Kimmel last night. 

Also, I'd recommend checking out the funny video the guys created for this track. Laser shooting guitars and super hero's results in entertainment! Enjoy.

[News] The Damned Things to perform on Jimmy Kimmel

I never know what to expect when multiple band memebrs come together to form another group but was pleasantly surprised when The Damned Things debut, Ironiclast hit stores. The band which features members of Fall Out Boy, Every Time I Die and Anthrax are scheduled to make their national TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel this evening, so if you liked their catchy, hook ridden debut single "We've Got A Situation Here" you may want to have your TV box tuned into Kimmel this evening.

[Watch] The Damned Things - "We've Got A Situation Here"

We first introduced you to The Damned things back in October and the band excited me straight off the bat. Containing members of Fall Out Boy, Every Time I Die and Anthrax the band are set to release their debut, Ironiclast, on December 14th. Up top is their first ever video for the infectious single "We've Got A Situation Here", which is one of the most entertaining videos I've seen in a while. The guys learn how to use their instruments in such a way they can shoot some kind of laser out of them and decide to use this power to better the world as super heroes! It's pretty cool, check it out up top and be sure to pick up the album when it drops.

[Watch] Introducing: The Damned Things (Every Time I Die x Fall Out Boy x Anthrax)

What do you get if you add together members of Fall Out Boy, Every Time I Die and Anthrax? I'll tell you what, it's The Damned Things. Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy, Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die, and Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano of Anthrax make up the band. I first got wind of this project back in early June when they played their first show in New York and then a London show the week after...the buzz had started.

Having only heard "We've Got A Situation Here" I was pretty excited, riffs and hooks galore, the track got stuck in my head instantaneously. You can hear why below. We finally have a little more information now thanks to the video above which gives us a nice insight into how it all came to be. Their debut album will be out on December the 14th, we'll be keeping a close eye on this one. 

"We've Got A Situation Here" 

"Ironclast"