Gigantour 2 / 2008 Image Entertainment / 14 Tracks / http://www.image-entertainment.com /
The second iteration of Gigantour took place in the summer of 2006, and featured 8 intense metal bands. These bands were further split into a main stage (Arch Enemy, Lamb of God, Megadeth, and Opeth) and a second stage (Into Eternity, Overkill, Sanctity, and The SmashUp). Imasge has gotten the rights to a number of the tracks that each of the bands played dduring the tour. The second stage is put first on this album, and aside from Over Kill (who are given “Long Time Dyin’†and “Thanx For Nothingâ€), each of the second stage acts get one track a piece.
The main stage bands (with the exception of Opeth, which has only “Windowpane†on the album) are given two or three tracks. In the placement and number of tracks that each of the Gigantour bands have on this album, Image has really found a solid balance. Instead of merely putting the big guns (Megadeth, Lamb of God) up front on the album, they put the bands like The SmashUp and Sancity first, ensuring that individuals that purchase this CD will have to focus on the up and coming acts before they hear the music from the more famous and established acts. Furthermore, the track selection on this disc is strong. This is because Image has picked a number of tracks that are less well-known than those standards that bands like Arch Enemy (“We Will Riseâ€) and Megadeth (“Take No Prisonersâ€, “The Scorpionâ€) are known for.
By giving these tracks an added boost in popularity, chances are good that Image has given listeners the spark they need to ensure that they pick up the original albums which these rare cuts were taken. What I would like to see from Image in the future would be a bundled edition of both the CD and DVD of Gigantour 2, to tie together the aural and visual elements of each of these acts. Hopefully Image will continue to release collections of Gigantour lineups; I know that I would love a chance to listen and to view this year’s (Megadeth, In Flames, Job For A Cowboy, Children of Bodom, and High on Fire) lineup. If you were unable to make Gigantour 2 in 2006 or it is looking increasingly unlikely that you will be able to make it this year, Image Entertainment has made this compilation specifically for you. If you made it to this iteration of Gigantour, buy this disc and relive the memories.
Top Tracks: Lamb of God / Redneck, Arch Enemy / Nemesis
Rating: 7.3/10
