Various Artists � Twisted Forever (tribute to Twisted Sister) 
Label: Koch Records
Rating: 
 

Twisted Sister isn't one of the bands you normally would think that other bands would want to pay tribute to. When Nirvana came along all of the overblown makeup bands of the 80's became passé, however listening to this collection it reminds us that despite their silly image and name, Twister Sister could get down to business and rock with the best of them. Hell, Dee Snider still is one of the strongest vocalist to lend his pipes to metal. 

This tribute packs an impressive roster of bands- Lit, Motorhead, Nashville Pussy, Anthrax, Overkill, The Step Kings, Hammerfall, Sevendust, among others. 

Lit kicks things off with bone-churning rendition of "I Wanna Rock", this must have given the band flashbacks to their metal days when they were going under the moniker Razzle. A.Jay Popoff nails the vocals while the rest of the band don't stray too far from the original version. Next up Lemmy and Co. deliver a high caliber performance of "Shoot �Em Down", while not one of Twisted Sisters better known track, Motorhead offers up a kickass rendition that justify it's selection with ripping guitars and Lemmy's unmistakable vocals.  Nashville Pussy doesn't screw around with their take on "The Kids Are Back", they make the song all their own with a hard rocking performance and Ryder's amazing guitar solo. Nine Days come on strong with an amazing classic alternative rock interpretation of "The Price" that does the tune proud. Chuck D checks in next with a hip-hop version of "Wake Up The Sleeping Giant" that only he could deliver. 

Anthrax comes on strong next with an earth shattering speed metal revamp of "Destroyer", hell it's Anthrax you know it's gonna kick ass!  One of the most overlooked powermetal groups to ever rock the land, Overkill, come on strong with their pumped up cover of "Under the Blade". Then Goth-metalers Cradle of Filth gives us an entirely new take on "The Fire Still Burns" which comes out sounding more like a Mercyful Fate than Twisted Sister, but hey it works!  Other standouts include Vision of Disorder's nu-metal cover of "Don't Let Me Down", The Step Kings give "Burn in Hell" the full Step-core treatment with a thundering punk meets metal meets hardcore meets prog version of the classic Twister Sister track done in fine Step Kings fashion. Remember these guys had the balls to do a punk cover of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall, Part II" and pulled it off! Fu Manchu gives us a street power rock take on "Ride to Live (Live to Ride)", not one of Twisted Sister's best tunes but Fu Manchu do a great job with what they have. Joan Jett comes on next with an amazing cover of "We're Not Gonna Take it" that only she can deliver. Under normal circumstances I won't go within teen feet of a Sebastian Bach recording, forcing myself to listen his take on "You Can't Stop Rock �N Roll" I was a bit taken aback with how close he came to the original, that's no easy task so I will give credit where credit it due, but I don't think this will change my mind about the guy. Next, Hammerfall crank out a full operatic metal "We're Gonna Make It", then Sevendust gives "I Am (I'm Me)" a nu-metal makeover with a little punk thrown in the mix before Twisted Sister closes the disc out a high octane cover of AC/DC's "Sin City". 

All and All, this is one of the strongest tribute albums to hit the streets in years. After listening to it, I can see the wisdom in doing this project and it even motivated me to go dust off my old Twisted Sister LP's and give them another spin. You Can't Stop Rock �N Roll!